1
: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores
2
: a remedial or soothing influence or agency
a salve to their hurt feelings
salved; salving
1
: to remedy (something, such as disease) with or as if with a salve
Examples of salve in a Sentence
Verb (1)
attempting to salve her conscience, she anonymously sent the store a sum of cash sufficient to cover the merchandise she had shoplifted
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
Angst in this moment is understandable, but Ms. Edwards believes that history can be a salve.
—Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2025
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
In any disaster, responding quickly can help save people and salve the harm.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for salve
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Noun
Also made with moisturizing glycerin and soothing mallow extract, the French salve removes makeup while giving the skin a garden-fresh glow.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
Angst in this moment is understandable, but Ms. Edwards believes that history can be a salve.
—Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
Many want to salve their wounds and prepare for the battles ahead with generational change.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
In any disaster, responding quickly can help save people and salve the harm.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for salve
Cite this Entry
“Salve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salve. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
salve
1 of 2 noun
ˈsav 
ˈsȧv
: a healing ointment
salve
2 of 2 verb
salved; salving
: to ease or soothe with or as if with a salve
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