Spanish word

amortiguar

Pronunciation

IPA/amoɾtiˈɣwaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbease

Example

Quiero amortiguar el dolor.

I want to ease the pain.

Illustration for amortiguar (ease)

More examples

La alfombra ayuda a amortiguar el ruido.

The rug helps to dampen the noise.

Core concept

A thick cushion softening a hammer strike.

Common phrases

  • amortiguar el impacto

    ease the impact

  • amortiguar el ruido

    dampen the noise

Similar words

aliviar: Alleviates pain or unpleasant sensations to make them more bearable.
atenuar: Weakens the intensity of sounds, lights, or emotions, often gradually.
amortecer: Dampens sound or vibration through absorption to lessen loudness.
suavizar: Makes touch, flavor, or atmosphere more even and less harsh.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que un golpe, un sonido o una sensación sea menos intensa, reduciendo su impacto o molestia.

Word origin

From Latin ad- 'to' plus mort- 'dead', via Old French amortir 'to deaden', giving the sense 'to dull or deaden' and so 'to lessen intensity'.

Usage tips

  • Commonly used with concrete targets like el golpe, el ruido, or el dolor, and a false friend with English amortize, which relates to repaying debt rather than easing an impact.

Other meanings

  • weakenverb
  • dampenverb

Opposites

Related words

  • amortiguadorshock absorbernoun
  • amortiguamientodampingnoun
  • amortiguadodampenedadjective

Word lists with this word