palliative

[pal-ee-ey-tiv, -ee-uh-tiv]

adjective

1. serving to palliate.

noun

1. something that palliates.

palliative

/ ˈpælɪətɪv /

adjective

1. serving to palliate; relieving without curing

noun

1. something that palliates, such as a sedative drug or agent

Other Word Forms

• palliatively adverb
• nonpalliative adjective
• nonpalliatively adverb
• unpalliative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palliative¹

From the French word palliatif, dating back to 1535–45. See palliate, -ive

Example Sentences

The “Union-at-any-cost” language proved to be a palliative, softening the political ground for what was to come.

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Follow-up scans initially showed no evidence of cancer but later tests discovered the tumour was growing back and he is now receiving palliative care at home.

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He eventually needed 24/7 palliative care before he died at the age of 54, in 2016.

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Its therapeutic benefits are increasingly recognised in palliative and end of life care.

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After Mr Jo was admitted to ICU and then palliative care, Ms Lee began to "unravel" and came to believe it was best if they all died together, Ms Smith said.

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Related Words

• apology 
• approval 
• argument 
• basis 
• confirmation 
• explanation 
• pretext 
• rationale 
• rationalization 
• vindication