abate
address
allay
ameliorate
anesthetize
appease
assuage
attemper
attenuate
bank the fire
bate
be light
benumb
blunt
chasten
constrain
control
cure
cushion
damp
dampen
de-emphasize
deaden
deaden the pain
dilute
diminish
disburden
disencumber
downplay
dull
ease
ease matters
extenuate
foment
give relief
have little weight
keep within bounds
kick the beam
lay
lenify
lessen
lighten
lull
aid
assist
help
alleviated
alleviates
alleviating
abbreviate
deviate