set at ease

USAGE SUMMARY

"set at ease" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to alleviating someone's worries or concerns. Example: The teacher's reassurance helped to set the students at ease before the exam. Alternative expressions include "put at ease," "calm down," and "reassure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Their minds were not set at ease.

The New York Times

"I'm a bit apprehensive," she said, adding that her mind had not been set at ease by recent remarks from Spain's acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, who said that a Brexit vote will have overwhelmingly negative effects for Britons living and working in the country.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Instead, they say, she is a woman who immediately sets at ease the survivors of sexual assault she works with; who knows how to tell a humorous anecdote about her husband; and who never turns up at her dress designer's studio without a book that is perfect for his 4-year-old.

The New York Times

Along with communicating an open mind and attitude, this pose will set interviewers at ease, as they'll see that you do not plan to shock them with any type of joy buzzer.

The New Yorker

The number of components used for graphical representation in the PCA was set at two to ease interpretation.

BMC Veterinary Research

The idea is to set them at ease, he said.

The New York Times

"You say that to set everyone at ease..

The New York Times - Magazine

His flamboyance seems to set them at ease.

The New Yorker

Surprisingly comfortable Alvar Aalto chairs set patrons at ease.

The New York Times - Travel

"It kind of set me at ease," Mientkiewicz said.

The New York Times - Sports

Enrico Maso, who holds the title of senior product manager at DeLonghi, set me at ease somewhat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with objects like 'mind', 'conscience', 'heart' or directly with a person to specify what is being calmed.

Common error

Avoid using 'set at ease' when referring to how someone is sitting in a chair; in that case, 'sit at ease' or 'positioned comfortably' is appropriate. "set at ease" is almost exclusively used for psychological states and the removal of worry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set at ease" functions as a transitive idiomatic verb phrase. It typically requires a direct object—either a person or a noun representing a mental state (like 'mind' or 'conscience')—to complete the meaning of removing anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly usable idiom in modern English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set at ease" is a versatile and correct idiomatic phrase used to describe the relief of psychological tension. According to Ludwig, it is extremely common in high-quality journalistic and scientific literature, appearing frequently in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Whether you are using it to describe a person's reaction to a kind gesture or the impact of a professional policy on public concern, the phrase effectively communicates the restoration of peace of mind. It is nearly interchangeable with "put at ease", though "set at ease" often carries a slightly more formal or literary weight. Writers should feel confident using this expression in almost any context where the goal is to describe the removal of distress and the establishment of comfort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put at ease

Uses 'put' instead of 'set', serving as a nearly identical and interchangeable synonym

reassure

Focuses more specifically on the act of providing confidence to remove doubts

set to rest

Often used specifically with 'fears', 'doubts' or 'minds' to indicate finality in calming someone

make comfortable

A more literal and slightly less idiomatic way to describe physical or emotional relaxation

soothe

Implies a more gentle or tactile removal of distress

calm down

More informal and often implies a higher level of preceding agitation

disarm

Carries a strategic connotation, often used when someone's charm or behavior removes another's hostility

relax

A broader term that can apply to physical muscles as much as mental states

quieten one's fears

A more literary and formal alternative that targets specific anxieties

pacify

Suggests a more active or forceful removal of anger or excitement to reach a state of peace

FAQs

How to use "set at ease" in a sentence?

You can use "set at ease" to show how someone stopped feeling nervous. For example: "The doctor's friendly smile helped to set the patient at ease before the procedure".

What can I say instead of "set at ease"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "put at ease", "reassure" or "make comfortable".

Is it correct to say "set his mind at ease"?

Yes, it is very common and correct to say "set his mind at ease" when referring to alleviating someone's specific worries or mental stress.

What is a more formal way to say "set at ease"?

In formal or academic writing, you might prefer to use "alleviate concerns" or "mitigate anxiety" to achieve a more professional tone.