Dearness allowance is a term that refers to the additional payment or compensation given by employers to employees to meet the rising cost of living and inflation. There are several synonyms for this term, including cost of living allowance, inflation allowance, pay increase, salary adjustment, and hardship allowance. These terms are often used interchangeably depending on the company or the industry in which the employee works. Dearness allowance is an important aspect of employee compensation, and it helps to ensure that employees are able to maintain their standard of living and keep up with inflation. Regardless of the terminology used, it is a crucial benefit that employees rely upon.