HOW STRONG IS A WORD?

A fear, suspicion or worry could be put at rest and the verb “allay” can be used as the best. “Assuage” is used to mean an unpleasant feeling less intense. In case of suffering, deficiency or problem needed to be less severe the verb “alleviate” is better for its usage. Regarding effect, force or value its synonym “attenuate” means more concise. Particularly, in saying about a disease or its symptoms the verb “palliate” might be the best in description. But, saying about a distress or difficulty the verb “relieve” is higher available for its context. Among them it’s the verb “appease” easily causing trouble as it means acceding to one’s demands. Besides, the verb “mollify” can be used to make anxiety less severe.

Any pain or discomfort in our body should be “soothed” and any anger, agitation or excitement might be “pacified”. Making someone less hostile is with “placate” and its contrary meaning can be “propitiate”. Be careful of “conciliate” as this verb denotes a prevention from getting discontented. Furthermore, this verb is easily mistaken into “reconcile” that means restoring friendly relationships. A mistake or offense can be “mitigated”.

To lessen means to make less but to make weaker in power or physical strength is to weaken. To become weaker due to age or illness is to enfeeble. To become weaker due to mental loss is to debilitate. To make less impressive or valuable is to diminish. To make hostility less intense is to abate. To dwindle describes a gradual decrease in size, amount or strength. But, this decrease going progressively worse is meant to deteriorate. This decrease could be desirably or naturally evident and is described to degenerate. Regarding this context the verb “retrogress” is used to mean to go back to an earlier state. In this case the verb “regress” makes a puzzle to mean to return to the less developed state.