alleviate (verb)
31aggravate — verb 1) the new law could aggravate the situation Syn: worsen, make worse, exacerbate, inflame, compound; add fuel to the fire/flames, add insult to injury, rub salt in the wound Ant: alleviate, improve 2) informal you don …
32deaden — verb 1) surgeons tried to deaden the pain Syn: numb, dull, blunt, suppress; alleviate, mitigate, diminish, reduce, lessen, ease, soothe, relieve, assuage, kill Ant: inte …
33heal — verb 1) he heals sick people Syn: make better, make well, cure, treat, restore to health Ant: make worse 2) his knee had healed Syn: get better, get well, be cu …
34lessen — verb 1) the new law did little to lessen the stigma Syn: reduce, make less/smaller, minimize, decrease; allay, assuage, alleviate, attenuate, palliate, ease, dull, deaden, blunt, moderate, mitigate, dampen, soften …
35mollify — verb 1) they tried to mollify the protesters Syn: appease, placate, pacify, conciliate, soothe, calm (down) See note at pacify Ant: enrage 2) mollifying the fears of the public …
36palliate — verb 1) the treatment works by palliating symptoms Syn: alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, moderate, temper, diminish, decrease, blunt, deaden 2) there is no way to palliate his dirty deed Syn …
37soften — verb 1) she tried to soften the blow of new service cuts Syn: alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, cushion, moderate, mitigate, palliate, diminish, blunt, deaden 2) the winds softened …
38soothe — verb 1) Rachel tried to soothe him Syn: calm (down), pacify, comfort, hush, quiet, subdue, settle (down), lull, tranquilize; appease, conciliate, mollify Ant: agitate 2) …
39sweeten — verb 1) sweeten the milk with honey Syn: make sweet, add sugar to, sugar, sugar coat 2) he chewed gum to sweeten his breath Syn: freshen, refresh, purify, deodorize, perfume 3) try to sweete …
40aggravate — verb 1) the new law could aggravate the situation Syn: worsen, make worse, exacerbate, inflame, compound 2) informal you ll only aggravate him! Syn: annoy, antagonize, irritate, exasperate, nett …
