PALLIATE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

palliate

verb

ˈpa-lē-ˌāt

Definition of palliate

as in to excuse

to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses don't try to palliate your constant lying by claiming that everybody lies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe this medicine should palliate your cough at least a little

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of palliate The friends are teen-agers, both outcasts of a kind, lonely and looking for ways to palliate their solitude. — The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 Rhys drank heavily to palliate her burdens, and was known for tirades and other skunky behavior. — New York Times, 20 June 2022 Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days. — Longreads, 12 Apr. 2024 Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2024 Those would likely be limited to economic benefits to palliate the loss of crops and revenues for farmers. — Emilio Morenatti, ajc, 13 Feb. 2022 Long hours of sitting masquerade as wellness, insecurity is palliated by snacks, and flexibility’s just another name for no time of your own. — Curbed, 4 Jan. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palliate

Verb

Demings uses the go-to excuse that state legislation bans using the TDT on local projects.

— Mike Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
She’s been canceled, kidnapped, and bamboozled, happy to tell anyone who’ll listen, and who’ll excuse her typos.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026

Definition of excuse

Verb

The shipments meant Adnoc was able to take greater advantage of surging oil prices earlier in the war, and helped alleviate the impact of the broader closure of the strait on global supplies.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
This is a critical time in history to create sustainable prevention and optimization, not simply alleviate symptoms.

— Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

Wall Street is increasingly punishing Big Tech companies for spending on AI without profits to justify it.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Thus far, Meta was only monetizing AI through its advertising, which is a great business but can be cyclical and was not enough to justify using all its cash flow.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

Cuas relieved pitcher Matt Strahm in the eighth inning and limited the Rays to just two hits and one run.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of relieve

Verb

Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Davies explains that Provenance adds value, as does good condition, because textiles are particularly unforgiving and easy to damage.

— Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Advocates say the funds would help build more than 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes that are unable to move forward because of a financing gap and help preserve thousands of other existing units.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of help

Verb

While the care tax in the workplace largely falling on women’s shoulders is a systemic and a bias issue, there are some steps both individuals and organizations can take to help mitigate this trend.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
In handing down the verdict, the judges said his actions ran counter to Indonesia’s anti-graft efforts and were carried out systematically, while noting as a mitigating factor that the former minister had no prior criminal conviction.

— Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

Share a meaningful story with a mentor or a relative far away, because seeing the bigger picture can soothe worries and recenter your priorities.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
The Pineapple Punch Hydrating Face Mask is a single-use, two-piece yellow hydrogel mask infused with ingredients that deliver hydration and soothing benefits.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of soothe

Browse Nearby Words

pallets

palliate

palliated

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“Palliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palliate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of palliate

verb

Example Sentences

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