PACIFY Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'pacify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pacify are appease , conciliate , mollify , placate , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: Where would 'appease' be a reasonable alternative to 'pacify'?

The words appease and pacify can be used in similar contexts, but appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: When is 'conciliate' a more appropriate choice than 'pacify'?

The meanings of conciliate and pacify largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

Q: When could 'mollify' be used to replace 'pacify'?

The words mollify and pacify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger. // a speech that mollified the demonstrators

Q: When might 'placate' be a better fit than 'pacify'?

In some situations, the words placate and pacify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

Q: When is it sensible to use 'propitiate' instead of 'pacify'?

Although the words propitiate and pacify have much in common, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being. // propitiated his parents by dressing up

pacify

verb

ˈpa-sə-ˌfī

Definition of pacify next

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of the only thing that would pacify the child and end the tantrum was a new toy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to subdue

to bring under one's control by force of arms additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pacify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pacify are appease, conciliate, mollify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

Where would appease be a reasonable alternative to pacify?

The words appease and pacify can be used in similar contexts, but appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

When is conciliate a more appropriate choice than pacify?

The meanings of conciliate and pacify largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When could mollify be used to replace pacify?

The words mollify and pacify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When might placate be a better fit than pacify?

In some situations, the words placate and pacify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When is it sensible to use propitiate instead of pacify?

Although the words propitiate and pacify have much in common, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pacify The presence of a baby was pacifying; the baby had behaved well the whole trip, lulled by its ingenious crib. —

Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 Chatbots, FAQs and topical blogs are proven tools for customer service, as they are often populated with static, evergreen content devised to pacify an interruption in experience, but don’t mistake them for notable stand-ins for personal attention. —

Shayan Hamidi, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 Their pacifying effect will therefore wane with time, especially if the next generations of young people remain as supportive of violence as their predecessors are. —

Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024 Entries include the belief that concessions on energy and arms control would pacify Vladimir Putin; pandering to the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority and Iran; and calling for cuts to defense spending as global risks multiplied. —

Matthew Continetti, National Review, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pacify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify

Verb

But no further arrests have been made, and more threats have come in despite authorities stepping up security measures, threatening legal punishments, appeasing airlines and reassuring panicked passengers.

Jessie Yeung, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Trump has more recently waffled on his view, trying to strike a balance between appeasing traditional GOP voter bases while also appealing to undecided voters who could determine the November election.

Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2024