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Synonyms

palliative

American  
[pal-ee-ey-tiv, -ee-uh-tiv] / ˈpæl iˌeɪ tɪv, -i ə tɪv /

adjective

  1. serving to palliate.


noun

  1. something that palliates.

palliative British  
/ ˈpælɪətɪv /

adjective

  1. serving to palliate; relieving without curing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. something that palliates, such as a sedative drug or agent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonpalliative adjective
  • nonpalliatively adverb
  • palliatively adverb
  • unpalliative adjective

Etymology

Origin of palliative

From the French word palliatif, dating back to 1535–45. See palliate, -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I am writing this from a hospital room where my mother recently entered palliative care.

From The Wall Street Journal

The doctor at the hospital told my wife and son that I should be put on palliative care to make my final days as painless as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal

The events were organised by Compassionate Gateshead in partnership with community charity Edberts House and the palliative care team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

From BBC

My peers would say we’ve always served that purpose, but sorting wheat from chaff isn’t the same as steering someone toward shows that are not simply satisfying but palliative.

From Salon

Grace previously said Amelia was number 60 on the list for a clinical trial, but was currently receiving palliative care.

From BBC