English Dictionary
Definition of “allay”
allay (əˈleɪ
)
Definitions
verb
- to relieve (pain, grief, etc) or be relieved
- (tr) to reduce (fear, anger, etc)
Word Origin
Old English ālecgan to put down, from lecgan to layOld English to put down, from to 1
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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reduce,
quiet,
relax,
ease,
calm,
smooth,
relieve,
check,
moderate,
dull,
diminish,
compose,
soften,
blunt,
soothe,
subdue,
lessen,
alleviate,
appease,
quell,
mitigate,
assuage,
pacify,
mollify,
Usage examples
He ducked his head to hide his admiration for Kiesler's smooth change of tactics to allay any fears Armstrong might be harbouring.
Hinxman, Margaret, The Sound of Murder (1986)This would also allay international fears of an all-out war.
India Today (2002)The society's chief financial officer, Mr Charles Bellringer, tried to allay policyholders ' worries.
Irish Times (2002)However, Phil Attridge, a local councillor, said he hoped the CCTV cameras would help to allay their fears.
Glasgow Herald (2001)On his return he wrote his eloquent Discoverie partly to allay such doubts.
Paul Hyland, RALEGH'S LAST JOURNEY: A Tale of Madness, Vanity and Treachery (2003)
