palliate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Medical, Legal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “palliate” mean?
To make (something, especially a disease or symptom) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make (something, especially a disease or symptom) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
To make an offence or mistake seem less serious or severe by providing excuses or mitigating reasons; to alleviate, to relieve temporarily.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in UK medical writing historically, but this is marginal.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word can carry a slightly negative connotation when used outside medicine, suggesting an attempt to excuse or cover up a fault inadequately.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both varieties, found primarily in formal, academic, medical, and legal texts.
Grammar
How to Use “palliate” in a Sentence
palliate [something]attempt to palliate [something]palliate [something] by [doing something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “palliate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The medicine is intended to palliate the symptoms, not cure the disease.
- He made a weak attempt to palliate his rude remarks by claiming he was stressed.
American English
- Palliative care focuses on palliating pain and improving quality of life.
- The lawyer's strategy was to palliate his client's actions by emphasizing a difficult upbringing.
adverb
British English
- The adverb is rarely used. It would be 'palliatively'. 'The drug acts palliatively.'
American English
- The treatment worked only palliatively, not curatively.
adjective
British English
- The adjective is 'palliative'. The treatment had only a palliative effect.
- They offered a palliative measure to calm the immediate crisis.
American English
- Palliative surgery was performed to improve comfort.
- The tax cut was a palliative response to deeper economic problems.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal reports: 'The new policy aims to palliate the negative impact on staff morale.'
Academic
Common in medical, legal, and ethical texts: 'The study examines drugs used to palliate the symptoms of terminal illness.'
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal or pretentious.
Technical
Core term in palliative medicine (a medical specialty).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “palliate”
- Using it to mean 'cure' or 'solve'.
- Using it in casual conversation where 'ease' or 'reduce' would be more natural.
- Confusing it with 'palpitate' (to beat rapidly).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Palliate' means to make something (like a symptom) less severe or more bearable temporarily. 'Cure' means to eliminate the disease or problem completely.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. It is most common in medical ('palliative care'), legal, and academic writing.
The main noun is 'palliation'. The related adjective 'palliative' is also very commonly used as a noun (e.g., 'palliatives').
Yes, it can be used metaphorically. For example, you can palliate guilt, an offence, or the consequences of a mistake, meaning you try to make them seem less serious.
To make (something, especially a disease or symptom) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
Palliate is usually formal, medical, legal, academic in register.
Palliate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæl.i.eɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpæl.i.eɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PALL (a heavy cloth covering) thrown over a problem to make it seem less severe. PALL-iate = to cover up or ease.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE BURDENS / PAIN (palliate lightens the burden/dulls the pain). JUSTIFICATION IS A COVER (palliate an offence = cover its severity).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'palliate' MOST appropriately used?