verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/əˈsweɪd͡ʒ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪdʒ
US, regional:/əˈswɑʒ/
rhymes with -ɑːʒ
CMU ARPABET:AH0 S W EY1 JH
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To lessen the intensity of, to mitigate or relieve (hunger, emotion, pain, etc.).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
1864 November 21, Abraham Lincoln (signed) or John Hay, letter to Mrs. Bixby in Boston I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To pacify or soothe (someone).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To calm down, become less violent (of passion, hunger etc.); to subside, to abate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
From Middle English aswagen, from Old French asuagier (“to appease, to calm”), from Vulgar Latin *assuāviō (“to sweeten, to butter up, to calm”), derived from Latin ad- + suāvis (“sweet”) + -iō.
Across languages
Translations
81 source translations are retained for this English entry.
