What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
allayer
Example
The therapist was able to allay her fears and help her feel more at ease. [allay: verb]
Example
The allayer cream helped to soothe the irritation on her skin. [allayer: noun]
soother
Example
The mother used a pacifier to soothe her crying baby. [soothe: verb]
Example
The soother tea helped to calm her nerves before the presentation. [soother: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Soothe and soother are more commonly used than allay and allayer in everyday language. Soothe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while soother is less common and refers to a specific object or substance that provides comfort.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between allayer and soother?
Both allayer and soother are formal words that are typically used in medical or therapeutic contexts. However, soother can also be used in more casual or everyday language.
