Which scenario best illustrates the verb "assuage" in a social context?

The verb "assuage" means to make an unpleasant feeling less intense or to calm someone down from a state of distress or anxiety. In a social context, this often involves providing reassurance or support to someone who is experiencing discomfort, sadness, or worry.

By choosing the option that involves calming someone who is distressed, it perfectly captures the essence of the word "assuage" as it indicates an effort to alleviate pain or discomfort. This action can involve empathetic listening, offering kind words, or providing comfort, all of which serve to reduce emotional turmoil in social interactions.

The other scenarios do not align with the meaning of "assuage" because they involve actions that escalate tension, create discomfort, or distance oneself from someone in need, rather than alleviating distress.