palliate

[ pal-ee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pal·li·at·ed, pal·li·at·ing.

1. to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate.
2. to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate.

palliate

/ ˈpælɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to lessen the severity of (pain, disease, etc) without curing or removing; alleviate; mitigate
2. to cause (an offence) to seem less serious by concealing evidence; extenuate

Derived Forms

• ˈpalliˌator, noun
• ˌpalliˈation, noun

Other Words From

• pal·li·a·tion [pal-ee-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• pal·li·a·tor noun
• un·pal·li·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palliate¹

First recorded in 1540–50, palliate is from the Late Latin word palliātus cloaked, covered. See pallium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of palliate¹

C16: from Late Latin palliāre to cover up, from Latin pallium a cloak, pallium

Example Sentences

His thoughts on transience — essentially, “if no moment ever returns, we should appreciate all the more each moment that is given us” — palliate Monet’s otherwise terrifying vision.

From Washington Post

The easing of lockdown restrictions coincides with preparations by the cash-strapped Caribbean island nation for its tourist high season, which it hopes will bring much-needed dollars to palliate a dire economic crisis.

From Reuters

"We also need to address the economic impact of Covid in poor households, so the financial burden is not palliated by selling or marrying off girls."

From BBC

After a discussion with Ms. H and her family, we decided to try a cycle of low-intensity chemotherapy as an attempt to palliate her increasingly severe symptoms.

From Washington Post

To palliate its burden, it needs readers and subscribers.

From New York Times