Palliate

To palliate means to alleviate or ease the severity of a disease or symptom without curing it. It can also mean to make something appear less serious or offensive by glossing over it, mitigating its harshness, or providing excuses. The word often implies a temporary or partial relief, rather than a complete solution. The focus is on diminishing discomfort, distress, or the negative impact, whether it's physical, emotional, or social.

Palliate meaning with examples

• The doctor prescribed medication to palliate the patient's pain, knowing it wouldn't cure the underlying illness but would improve their quality of life. This strategy prioritizes comfort amidst a difficult prognosis. The treatment was aimed to provide comfort.
• The company tried to palliate public outrage over the environmental damage by issuing a press release. They made public statements to try and reduce the severity of the problem by making promises. This demonstrates their efforts to manage image.
• She used humor to palliate the awkwardness of the situation, diffusing the tension and making it easier for everyone to move forward. Her jokes were a lighthearted way of minimizing the difficult situation. Laughter often does it.
• While the therapy might not address the root cause of the depression, it can still palliate the patient's suffering and improve their overall function in daily life. The intervention can provide some stability.