palliate

I (abate) verb allay, alleviate, appease, arrest, assuage, attemper, bate, bound, bring to a standstill, cease, check, circumscribe, curb, curtail, deactivate, decelerate, decrease, desist, diminish, discontinue, ease, eliminate, lenify, lessen, limit, make less severe, make mild, minimize, mitigate, moderate, modulate, obtund, pacify, qualify, quell, quiet, reduce, regulate, relieve, soften, still, stop, subdue, suppress, suspend, temper, terminate II (excuse) verb absolve, acquit, adjudge innocent, allow for, assoil, be lenient, clear, condone, declare guiltless, defend, discharge, disculpate, dismiss charges, exculpate, exempt, exonerate, extenuate, forbear, forgive, give amnesty, give dispensation, grant absolution, grant amnesty, grant exemption, grant immunity, judge innocent, justify, let go, let off, liberate, license, make allowance for, overlook, pardon, permit, privilege, provide justification, release, release from obligation, remit the penalty, reprieve, rescue, set free, show mercy, shrive, spare, support, tolerate, vindicate III index abate (lessen), allay, alleviate, ameliorate, assuage, commute, condone, cure, drug, extenuate, forgive, justify, lessen, lull, meliorate, mitigate, moderate (temper), mollify, obtund, redress, relieve (give aid), remedy, remit (relax), soothe