palliative

1 of 2

adjective

pal·​li·​a·​tive ˈpa-lē-ˌā-tiv How to pronounce palliative (audio) ˈpal-yə- How to pronounce palliative (audio)
: serving to palliate
palliative surgery
palliative care
palliative drugs
palliatively adverb

palliative

2 of 2

noun

: something that palliates

Examples of palliative in a Sentence

Noun The disease has no cure, but a number of palliatives exist. Travel is like a palliative against depression for him. symbolic palliatives for inner-city troubles
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The years-in-the-making clinic with its roots stretching to 1980s Austin is designed to close the gaps in access to specialty care, including cardiology, nephrology, pulmonology, palliative care, behavioral health, assessments before surgery and nutrition. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Aug. 2024 Another one of my group members did palliative care, and I had not really been exposed to palliative care or hospice before that. Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
Paper palliatives will not address the world’s present emergencies. Philip Zelikow, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 This shift to at-home care should benefit UnitedHealth Group, which owns primary, hospice, palliative, and at-home care providers and enablers including Optum, LHC Group, Landmark, Summit Home Care, and NaviHealth. Will Daniel, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for palliative 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palliative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near palliative

Cite this Entry

“Palliative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palliative. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

palliative

1 of 2 adjective
pal·​li·​a·​tive ˈpal-ē-ˌāt-iv How to pronounce palliative (audio) ˈpal-yət- How to pronounce palliative (audio)
: serving to palliate

palliative

2 of 2 noun
: something that palliates

Medical Definition

palliative

1 of 2 adjective
pal·​lia·​tive ˈpal-ē-ˌāt-iv How to pronounce palliative (audio) ˈpal-yət- How to pronounce palliative (audio)
: reducing the severity of a disease or condition without curing it : providing palliative care
palliative treatment
Although valve replacement is an important advance in the treatment of patients with valve disease, it is a palliative rather than a curative procedure.Robert A. O'Rourke, The Journal of the American Medical Association
palliatively adverb

palliative

2 of 2 noun
: something that reduces the severity of a disease or condition without curing it
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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