From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishallay (somebody’s) fear/concern/suspicion etcallay (somebody’s) fear/concern/suspicion etcREDUCEto make someone feel less afraid, worried etc The president made a statement to allay public anxiety. → allay
Examples from the Corpus
allay (somebody’s) fear/concern/suspicion etc• In this way he can discuss current information with his wife and help to allay her fears.• Kelly argues that the removal of the requirement to aid decision-makers would allay fears.• Some Alliance supporters made statements that did little to allay such fears.• The virtual extinction of the dragon sister tutor should also help to allay your fears.• Sly had to allay their suspicions and stop them probing any further.• In an attempt to allay these concerns, Rhone and other staff members met with citizens from the rehabilitation area several times.• Margaret came from a wealthy family, and Richard was anxious to allay any suspicion that he had married for money.• But he failed to allay fears that he will be a fatally flawed candidate when pitted against President Bush next autumn. 