French word

aplanir

Pronunciation

IPA/aplaniʁ/

Meaning

  • verbease

Example

Le gouvernement tente d'aplanir les tensions entre les groupes.

The government is trying to ease tensions between the groups.

Illustration for aplanir (ease)

More examples

Il a utilisé de l'enduit pour aplanir le mur avant de peindre.

He used plaster to level the wall before painting.

Core concept

One hand levels a rough surface, then clears the bumps from a tense dispute.

Common phrases

  • aplanir les tensions

    ease tensions

  • aplanir les obstacles

    clear obstacles

  • aplanir le terrain

    level the ground

Similar words

apaiser: To soothe anger or discontent and restore calm.
calmer: To reduce excitement or anxiety and create a calm state.
adoucir: To soften harshness or severity and create a gentler impression.
régler: To deal with an issue and bring it to a resolution.

Definition in French

Mettre à niveau une surface; par extension, atténuer une tension ou faciliter la résolution d'un problème.

Word origin

French aplanir combines a- with planir, a verb ultimately from Latin planus, 'flat', and extends physical leveling to difficulties.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English 'plain', aplanir is a transitive verb and normally takes the thing being leveled directly, as in aplanir une surface or aplanir un différend.

Other meanings

  • flattenverb
  • resolveverb

Opposites

Related words

  • aplanissementlevelingnoun
  • aplaniflattenedadjective

Word lists with this word