Assuage

/əˈsweɪdʒ/ verb medium

To make an unpleasant feeling less intense, or to satisfy a need.

The manager's apology and refund helped assuage the customer's anger over the delayed shipment.

Memory Trick

Say it slowly as 'a-sway-age': a gentle, soothing sway, like rocking a crying baby, is exactly what assuages distress.