as in to soothe
to free from distress or disturbance
attempting to salve her conscience, she anonymously sent the store a sum of cash sufficient to cover the merchandise she had shoplifted
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Recent Examples of salve
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Going back again and again to that panicked night shift when the bleeding patient died under my hands was an unexpected salve for the unforgiving finality of the actual events.
—Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2024
Each of these athletes has their particular struggle, but the idea that achieving the highest sporting honors cannot salve the pressures of elite athletic life is well established.
—Talia Barrington, The Atlantic, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for salve
Verb
The finals, at least, were supposed to be a salve from that.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Going back again and again to that panicked night shift when the bleeding patient died under my hands was an unexpected salve for the unforgiving finality of the actual events.
—Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
Noun
Playing like ear salve for anyone who enjoys camping festivals, bass music and tie-dye (preferably all at the same time), the album melds each producer’s celestially-leaning, world music influenced and thoroughly pummeling styles into a groovy, deep, totally fun 13-track collection.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2024
Each of these athletes has their particular struggle, but the idea that achieving the highest sporting honors cannot salve the pressures of elite athletic life is well established.
—Talia Barrington, The Atlantic, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for salve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for salve
Verb
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Garlic’s many health benefits include immunity support, soothing inflammation, and boosting collagen production.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
The writer-director made sure all players honored poker rules and that movies were playing so anyone mad about a poker loss could soothe their financial pain.—
Samantha Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Beef tallow is typically purchased as a balm or cream.—
Health,
Health,
14 July 2025
-
Astrid was such a star, a balm to Jess’s soul, and the best proof that Jess has it somewhere in herself not to be totally selfish — Astrid was the only being Jess could seemingly put above, or at least in equal stature, to herself.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
When the projector isn't throwing out sound, fan noise is quite noticeable, though the whirring does calm down somewhat when in eco mode (which outputs the lowest brightness).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
As in, liquid blush is topped with powder blush; contour stick is topped with bronzer, and face powder is used both immediately after applying cream products and to finish it all off later.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
-
Apart from religiously following skincare regimen, medical beauty devices help enhance the efficacy of serums, lotions, and creams.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Don’t let the last road trip lull you into false hopes.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 June 2025
-
Orlando Sentinel Back in Central Florida the chorus of chanting, cheering and car honking never lulled in Casselberry.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Next time someone burns their finger while cooking, quickly put some diaper rash ointment that contains zinc oxide on the burn.—
Caleb Harris,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
Applying an antibacterial ointment and a clean bandage that won’t stick to the wound.—
Cheryl Vari,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Natural gas is almost entirely composed of methane, a greenhouse gas that's far more potent than carbon dioxide.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
8 July 2025
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Last December, a task force co-led by Rashid and composed of Pritzker administration officials, educators and other lawmakers compiled a report detailing some of the risks presented by AI.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Bath & Body Works: Make your shower even more luxurious with sweet-smelling body washes, buttery lotions, and exfoliating scrubs that cost as little as $2.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
24 June 2025
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Aesop’s amber bottles are unmistakably ubiquitous, whether for soap, lotion, or mouthwash.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Salve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/salve. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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