Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for palliative.
Definitions

palliative

[pal-ee-ey-tiv, -ee-uh-tiv] / ˈpæl iˌeɪ tɪv, -i ə tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
corrective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curative disciplinary punitive remedial therapeutic
STRONG
reformatory restorative
WEAK
antidotal counteracting penal rehabilitative
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damaging harmful hurtful injurious
WEAK
hurting paining
ADJECTIVE
emollient
Synonyms
STRONG
demulcent healing lenitive softening
WEAK
balsamic relieving remedial
ADJECTIVE
reformative
Synonyms
WEAK
amendatory antidotal counteracting curative disciplinary emendatory penal punitive reformatory rehabilitative remedial restorative therapeutic
ADJECTIVE
soothing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calming reassuring
STRONG
alleviating consoling easing mollifying pacifying relaxing relieving remedying softening tranquilizing warming
WEAK
consolatory
NOUN
alcohol
Synonyms
STRONGEST
booze drink ethanol liquor methanol smoke
STRONG
alky cocktail firewater hootch intoxicant moonshine rotgut sauce spirits tipple toddy
WEAK
canned heat hard stuff red-eye
NOUN
alleviation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
mitigation
STRONG
abatement assuagement comfort ease easement palliation remedy
WEAK
salving
Antonyms
STRONG
injury
NOUN
balm
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consolation solace
STRONG
alleviation anodyne assuagement comfort curative cure easement mitigation refreshment relief remedy restorative
WEAK
soother
Antonyms
STRONG
disease hurt injury pain
NOUN
justification
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apology approval argument basis confirmation explanation pretext rationale rationalization vindication
STRONG
absolution account acquittal advocacy answer apologia cop-out defense exculpation exoneration extenuation grounds idea mitigation palliation plea rebuttal reply response sanctification story support validation warrant wherefore
WEAK
raison d'être song and dance whatfor whitewashing whole idea why and wherefore
Antonyms
STRONGEST
charge indictment opposition
STRONG
question request sentence
NOUN
lotion
Synonyms
STRONGEST
balm cosmetic cream ointment salve
STRONG
demulcent embrocation lenitive liniment medicine preparation unguent wash
NOUN
mitigating circumstances
Synonyms
WEAK
diminished responsibility partial excuse qualification
NOUN
palliation
Synonyms
STRONG
abatement alleviation amelioration appeasement assistance assuagement balm break breather cheer comfort consolation contentment cure deliverance diversion ease easement extrication fix hand happiness help letup lift lightening maintenance mitigation mollification refreshment release remission reprieve respite rest restfulness satisfaction softening solace succor support sustenance
WEAK
allayment comforting load off one's mind quick fix
Antonyms
STRONG
aggravation annoyance check continuation depression discontent discouragement dissatisfaction gloom harm hindrance hurt injury irritation misery obstruction sadness stop unhappiness
NOUN
relief
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alleviation assistance comfort happiness help maintenance reprieve respite satisfaction support
STRONG
abatement amelioration appeasement assuagement balm break breather cheer consolation contentment cure deliverance diversion ease easement extrication fix hand handout letup lift lightening mitigation mollification refreshment release remission rest restfulness softening solace succor sustenance
WEAK
allayment comforting load off one's mind quick fix
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hindrance hurt injury stop unhappiness
STRONG
annoyance check continuation sadness
WEAK
damage pain
NOUN
saving grace
Synonyms
WEAK
extenuative good point point of character

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Beyond a certain age—75 or 80—spending should be on palliative care, he says, rather than costly interventions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne operate a 42-bed nursing facility in New York that gives free palliative care to poor people with cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

She has been in nursing for 23 years, working for the last 13 years as a palliative care specialist nurse, and before that as a district nurse.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Religious leaders have been vocal in the aftermath of the vote - differing in tone, but again all advocating better access to palliative care.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

She drew close to Úrsula, trusting that she would know of some palliative for her attacks.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Vocabulary lists containing palliative

The Kite Runner

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Educated

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

100 SAT words Beginning with "P"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!