palliate
Verb
Hard difficulty
What does “palliate” mean?
verb.to make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
SAT Usage
this term commonly appears in passages discussing medical or psychological themes, particularly in contexts involving treatment or care. It emphasizes the idea of providing temporary relief rather than a cure, highlighting the complexities of managing chronic conditions, and differs from words like "cure" or "heal," which suggest complete resolution rather than merely alleviating symptoms.
Common Confusions
Palliate implies providing temporary relief from symptoms without addressing the underlying issue, while cure usually suggests completely eliminating the disease or condition.
Do not choose palliate if the context emphasizes curing or eliminating a disease rather than making its symptoms less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
Example Sentences
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The medication could palliate the symptoms but not cure the disease.