assuages
Makes less intense
Assuages means lessens or relieves something unpleasant—pain, guilt, hunger, fear.
The word suggests soothing or calming rather than eliminating entirely: Nothing assuages her grief like time with family.
You might assuage someone's concerns by addressing them directly, or assuage your conscience by making amends.
calms
Reduces agitation
- easesReduces severity or difficulty
- alleviatesReduces severity of
- relievesLessens or substitutes for
mitigates · mollifies · pacifies · allays · palliates · softens · lessens · diminishes · lightens · reduces
intensity of negative state
assuagesexacerbates
Makes more severe
aggravates · intensifies · worsens · inflames · accentuates
emotional soothing
assuagesaggravates
Makes more severe
exacerbates · agitates · provokes · incites · riles