tr.v., -layed, -lay·ing, -lays.

1. To reduce the intensity of; relieve: allay back pains. See synonyms at relieve.
2. To calm or pacify; set to rest: allayed the fears of the worried citizens.

[Middle English aleien, from Old English ālecgan, to lay down : ā-, intensive pref. + lecgan, to lay; see lay¹.]

allayer al·lay'er n.

verb

1. To make less severe or more bearable: alleviate, assuage, comfort, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, palliate, relieve. See increase/decrease.
2. To make or become calm: balm, becalm, calm (down), lull, quiet, settle, still, tranquilize. See calm/agitation.

v

Definition: reduce something; usually pain or problem
Antonyms: intensify, provoke, stir, worsen

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IN BRIEF: To calm, mitigate, or reduce the intensity of.

Grandma's singing could always allay my childhood fears.

Tutor's tip: It can be difficult to "allay" (calm or relieve) your fears when you're walking alone in a dark "alley" (narrow outdoor passageway).

Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - dæmpe, dulme

Nederlands (Dutch)
verlichten, verminderen (angst/ argwaan), kalmeren

Français (French)
v. tr. - dissiper, apaiser, soulager, modérer

Deutsch (German)
v. - beschwichtigen, lindern, stillen

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - κατευνάζω, ανακουφίζω, καθησυχάζω, μετριάζω, γλυκαίνω

Italiano (Italian)
lenire, calmare, placare

Português (Portuguese)
v. - acalmar, aliviar, diminuir

Русский (Russian)
ослаблять, смешивать

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - aliviar, mitigar, calmar, sosegar, acallar, apaciguar

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - undertrycka, mildra

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
使平静, 平息, 减轻, 使缓和

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 使平靜, 平息, 減輕, 使緩和

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 가라앉히다, 완화 시키다

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 静める

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) يسكن الألم, يهدي الغضب‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮שיכך, הרגיע, הפיג‬

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