to soften; to relieve; to mitigate (to make something less severe or intense)
彼の一言が場の緊張を和らげた。
His remark eased the tension in the room.
この薬は痛みを和らげる効果がある。
This medicine has the effect of relieving pain.
室内の照明を暗くして、雰囲気を和らげた。
I dimmed the lights to soften the atmosphere.