allay
uh-LAY
/əˈleɪ/
To diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry).
Almost exclusively used with intellectual or emotional concerns (fears, doubts, suspicions). It means to 'lay them to rest'.
The story behind the word. From the Old English 'a-' (away) and 'lecgan' (to lay). It literally means to 'lay aside' or 'put down' a burden of worry.
Word relationships
- assuage: Assuage is broader; allay is specifically for quieting doubts or fears.
- arouse: Arouse means to wake up or stir up (especially suspicions or fears).
Commonly confused with
- ally: An ally is a partner; allay is to quiet a fear.
Collocations
- allay fears
- allay suspicions
- allay concerns
Example sentences
- "The government is eager to allay fears that the tax increase will hurt the middle class." Addressing public concern.
Memory hook
Allay: 'Lay' your fears to rest. Lay the fears down.
When not to use
Don't use this for physical pain or active anger; use 'mitigate' or 'placate' instead.
Fun facts
- In the 14th century, you could 'allay' wine by mixing it with water to make it less strong.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.