Alleviate; excuse (8)
I believe the answer is:
palliate
I believe this is a double definition.
'alleviate' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'excuse' is the second definition.
(palliating is a kind of excusing)
(Other definitions for palliate that I've seen before include "Soften (the effect of)" , "everything before I cut into spread" , "Eat a pill (anag) - make easier" , "Allay" , "Mitigate (something bad)" .)