English vocabulary · C1
Assuage
/əˈsweɪdʒ/ · v.
Assuage means make a bad feeling less strong. Cold water can make thirst feel better after a long hot walk. It gives your body a small break.
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Example sentences
- Cold water assuaged my thirst.
- Her calm words assuaged his fear.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- adsuaviare — make sweet (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SOOTHE — make pain feel less (Make Pain Feel Less)
- EASE — make it less hard (Make It Less Hard)
- CALM — make fear less strong (Make Fear Less Strong)
Lesson notes
Assuage means make a bad feeling less strong. Cold water can make thirst feel better after a long hot walk. It gives your body a small break.
Related: soothe, ease, calm. Use assuage when you make a bad feeling less strong.
Cold water assuaged my thirst. Her calm words assuaged his fear.
From Latin. Adsuaviare- means make sweet. Make a bad feeling sweet and soft: assuage.