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
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
Many want to salve their wounds and prepare for the battles ahead with generational change.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
This Burt’s Bees set has six travel-sized mani-pedi essentials, including a soothing foot cream and buttery hand salve that protects dry, chapped skin.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for salve
Verb
He’s hired more than 1 million civil servants over the past year, salving the country’s unemployment crisis (and putting the state at even greater risk of bankruptcy).
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
Many want to salve their wounds and prepare for the battles ahead with generational change.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
Noun
While that risk of impact has been confidently ruled out, the date of its future rendezvous with our planet on Friday the 13th is likely no salve to those who are superstitious.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
This Burt’s Bees set has six travel-sized mani-pedi essentials, including a soothing foot cream and buttery hand salve that protects dry, chapped skin.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for salve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for salve
Verb
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Diaper rash cream, chocolate brown baby booties and throat-soothing lollipops littered the hotel bed.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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There’s truly nothing better than the scent of fresh laundry and soothing lavender!—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Conditioning balm, body wash concentrate, foaming body scrub and tools to make application easier are also available.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Tatcha just launched its lip balm this month, drawing inspiration from the Geisha tradition of melting candy on their lips to achieve a glossy finish—arguably the original lip gloss.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Photographer Fabrice Coffrini took a calming photo of the near-full moon shining to the right of a silhouetted tree, as dusk gave way to night in the sky over Lucens in western Switzerland on April 30.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
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Neighbors argue the speed change is not enough and should be lowered more or paired with traffic calming measures.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Pea gravel comes in various colors including gray, cream, tan, gold, and white.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
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Body creams are traditionally more oil-based and contain occlusive ingredients to create a thick, rich product.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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McKenna, working this time without the safety net of direct source material, has composed a shiny soap-bubble satire of a doom-laden cultural and journalistic landscape.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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It's composed of a light, breezy material that is extremely breathable—even on a hot, humid day—and creates a gorgeous drapey effect that looks good on everyone.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Like the items in your kitchen, medications (including creams, ointments, pain relievers, and more) all come with their own set of expiration dates.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
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This medication can be taken as a patch, spray, ointment, or under-the-tongue (sublingual) tablet.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The project was about permeating the masses, gradually lulling them with propaganda.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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Choose from a variety of massage styles and sink into the experience while being gently rocked and lulled by the sounds of the sea.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The two main compartments stow full-size bottles of lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and more upright.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Stash Overstock Products Elsewhere If space in your home allows, make an effort to keep your overstock products—unopened bottles of your favorite shampoo and lotion, extra makeup, toilet paper, and the like—in an area that is not your bathroom.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Salve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/salve. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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