From the options given, select the word that is most similar in meaning to "ALLAY".
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → assuage
Allay means to reduce or calm fear, doubt, suspicion or pain. Its synonym is assuage.
Example: The doctor's words allayed the parents' fears.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) assuage (answer) | to make an unpleasant feeling less strong, to soothe or ease it (both words describe calming or easing a bad feeling) | Nothing could assuage her grief after the loss. |
| (2) aggravate | to make a problem or pain worse (an antonym of allay) | Scratching will only aggravate the rash. |
| (3) heighten | to make a feeling or effect stronger (it is also opposite in meaning) | The eerie music heightened the tension in the film. |
| (4) agitate | to make someone anxious or upset (it stirs up feelings instead of calming them) | The news of the delay agitated the passengers. |
| Synonyms of allay: assuage, relieve, alleviate, soothe Antonyms of allay: aggravate, heighten, agitate, intensify Also asked in CUET (UG): allay – 15-05-2024 Slot 1, 09-06-2023 Slot 1, 29-05-2023 Slot 2 assuage – 21-05-2026 Slot 1, 15-05-2025 Slot 2, 13-05-2025 Slot 1 aggravate – 03-06-2025 Slot 2, 13-05-2025 Slot 1, 09-06-2023 Slot 1, 06-06-2023 Slot 1, 23-08-2022 Slot 1 |