ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary BuilderWordsAallay
ISEE/SSAThard
allay
Meaning: to reduce fear, worry, or pain
allay in a sentence
How allay is used in real sentences:
The coach tried to allay the team's nerves before the final match.
The principal's calm announcement helped allay worries about the schedule change.
“To allay concerns that art might masquerade as measurement, Ortiz placed the score beside the dataset and explained each translation rule.”
— from the passage The Archive in Wood
Synonyms for allay
Other words for allay — ease, soothe and relieve — carry the same meaning.
- ease
- soothe
- relieve
Antonyms of allay
Words that mean the opposite of allay:
- intensify
- aggravate
Where it comes from
From Old English alecgan, meaning 'to lay down' or 'put aside.'
Memory hook
To allay fear is to lay it down so it feels lighter.