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Assuage: meaning, definitions and examples

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assuage

 

[əˈsweɪdʒ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

to relieve or alleviate

To make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense. To satisfy (an appetite or desire). To soothe or calm.

Synonyms

alleviate, ease, mitigate, pacify, relieve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
assuage

Used to describe the process of making an unpleasant feeling less intense. Often associated with emotional or psychological relief.

  • She tried to assuage her guilt by doing something good for others.
  • His words could not assuage her sorrow.
relieve

Commonly used to refer to reducing or removing pain, discomfort, or stress. Applicable to both physical and emotional states.

  • The ice pack should relieve the swelling.
  • She was relieved to hear that her test results were normal.
alleviate

Used when talking about reducing pain or suffering, especially physical pain or discomfort. Also used for lessening difficult situations.

  • The medication helped to alleviate her chronic pain.
  • Efforts to alleviate poverty in the region are ongoing.
ease

Used in both physical and emotional contexts to imply making something less severe or serious. Commonly used in everyday conversation.

  • She took a deep breath to ease her anxiety.
  • The new policies helped to ease the financial burden on students.
mitigate

Often used in formal or technical contexts to describe reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something, especially in legal, environmental, or policy language.

  • Measures need to be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change.
  • The defendant’s difficult childhood could mitigate his sentence.
pacify

Used to describe the action of calming someone down or restoring peace in a situation. Usually applied to emotional states or conflicts.

  • She managed to pacify the crying baby with a lullaby.
  • Authorities worked to pacify the protestors.

Examples of usage

  • He couldn't assuage his guilt.
  • She tried to assuage her hunger with a small snack.
  • The music helped to assuage his anxiety.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'assuage' comes from the Latin 'adsuavis,' meaning 'to make sweet,' showing its roots in sweetness and relief.
  • It has been used in English since the 13th century, starting from the Old French word 'asseuerer.'
  • In Middle English, it meant to soften or alleviate discomfort, indicative of its calming nature.

Literature

  • The term frequently appears in classic literature, often used to describe soothing emotions or calming narratives.
  • Famous authors like Shakespeare and Milton used variations of this term to depict the relief of turmoil or strife in their characters.
  • In many romantic novels, a character often seeks to assuage their partner's fears or worries, highlighting its emotional significance.

Psychology

  • Research in psychology shows that emotional support can assuage anxiety, promoting mental well-being.
  • Therapeutic techniques often involve helping individuals to acknowledge and assuage their own feelings of distress.
  • Mindfulness practices can assuage negative emotions by fostering a sense of calm and acceptance.

Cultural Use

  • In various cultures, offering food or comfort can assuage sorrow during times of loss or grieving.
  • The concept of 'assuaging' plays a role in conflict resolution, as calming tensions is essential for peace-building.
  • Many cultures have rituals designed to assuage a community's grief, such as memorials and communal gatherings.

Pop Culture

  • The term appears in popular songs and films, often describing moments where characters seek to calm their fears or emotions.
  • In modern media, significant emotional moments often revolve around characters assuaging each other’s pain, emphasizing human connection.
  • Songs that explore themes of love often feature lyrics about assuaging feelings of loneliness or heartache.

Translations

Translations of the word "assuage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aliviar

🇮🇳 शांत करना

🇩🇪 lindern

🇮🇩 meredakan

🇺🇦 заспокоювати

🇵🇱 łagodzić

🇯🇵 和らげる

🇫🇷 soulager

🇪🇸 aliviar

🇹🇷 hafifletmek

🇰🇷 진정시키다

🇸🇦 يخفف

🇨🇿 zmírnit

🇸🇰 zmierniť

🇨🇳 缓解

🇸🇮 ublažiti

🇮🇸 mýkja

🇰🇿 жұмсарту

🇬🇪 შერბილება

🇦🇿 yüngülləşdirmək

🇲🇽 aliviar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,236, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.