MEANING
To reduce the intensity of a fear, worry, or suspicion.
Use it for
easing apprehension through explanation or evidenceShow which worry is being reduced and by what means.
Words that belong together
- allay fears
- allay concerns
- allay suspicion
On the page
The inspection report allayed their fears about the ceiling.
Her detailed answer did little to allay his suspicion.
A working radio helped allay the team’s concern about being stranded.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- allay / allays
- Past tense
- allayed
- Past participle
- allayed
- Present participle
- allaying
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- allay / allays
- Present continuous
- am/is/are allaying
- Present perfect
- have/has allayed
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been allaying
- Past
- allayed
- Past continuous
- was/were allaying
- Past perfect
- had allayed
- Past perfect continuous
- had been allaying
- Future
- will allay / allays
- Future continuous
- will be allaying
- Future perfect
- will have allayed
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been allaying
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Especially natural with fears and concerns; does not mean prove that the danger has disappeared. More targeted than general soothing. Verb forms (base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing): allay, allays, allayed, allayed, allaying.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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