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allay
[ uh-ley ]
/ əˈleɪ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), al·layed, al·lay·ing.
to put (fear, doubt, suspicion, anger, etc.) to rest; calm; quiet.
to lessen or relieve; mitigate; alleviate: to allay pain.
OTHER WORDS FOR allay
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Origin of allay
synonym study for allay
1. Allay, moderate, soothe mean to reduce excitement or emotion. To allay is to lay to rest or lull to a sense of security, possibly by making the emotion seem unjustified: to allay suspicion, anxiety, fears. To moderate is to tone down any excess and thus to restore calm: to moderate the expression of one's grief. To soothe is to exert a pacifying or tranquilizing influence: to soothe a terrified child.
OTHER WORDS FROM allay
al·lay·er, nounun·al·layed, adjectiveWords nearby allay
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use allay in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for allay
allay
/ (əˈleɪ) /
verb
to relieve (pain, grief, etc) or be relieved
(tr) to reduce (fear, anger, etc)
Word Origin for allay
Old English ālecgan to put down, from lecgan to lay 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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