Dictionary.com

assuage

[ uh-sweyj, uh-sweyzh ]
/ əˈsweɪdʒ, əˈsweɪʒ /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: assuage / assuaging / assuagement on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), as·suaged, as·suag·ing.
to make milder or less severe; alleviate; ease; mitigate: to assuage one's grief;to assuage one's pain.
to appease; satisfy; sate: to assuage one's hunger.
to soothe, calm, or mollify: to assuage his fears;to assuage her anger.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of assuage

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English aswagen, from Old French asouagier, from unrecorded Vulgar Latin assuāviāre, equivalent to Latin as- as- + -suāviāre, verbal derivative of Latin suāvis “agreeable to the taste, pleasant” (cf. suave; akin to sweet)

OTHER WORDS FROM assuage

as·suage·ment, nounas·suag·er, nounun·as·suag·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to assuage

allay, alleviate, appease, lessen, mitigate, mollify, pacify, placate, quench, sate, satisfy, soften, temper, calm, compose, conciliate, cool, ease, fill, lighten

How to use assuage in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for assuage

assuage
/ (əˈsweɪdʒ) /
verb (tr)
to soothe, moderate, or relieve (grief, pain, etc)
to give relief to (thirst, appetite, etc); satisfy
to pacify; calm

Derived forms of assuage

assuagement, nounassuager, nounassuasive (əˈsweɪsɪv), adjective

Word Origin for assuage

C14: from Old French assouagier, from Vulgar Latin assuāviāre (unattested) to sweeten, from Latin suāvis pleasant; see suave
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK