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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

Example 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 What ensues is a brawl, with Elisabeth trying to pacify Sue, who has realized what Elisabeth was about to do to her. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025 Brand founder Amy Liu originally formulated it to calm inflammation, eczema, though it’s now loved to pacify redness, acne, rosacea, and even sunburn. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024 In this more intimate gathering, Foster first pacified the reporter by mentioning former Iowa running back Tavian Banks. Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024 When my co-worker tried to help, the woman began yelling at her and could not be pacified. Courtenay Rudzinski, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
  • Catch up quick: Stripe tender offers are becoming an annual event as the company seeks to appease employees while continuing to delay an IPO.
    Ryan Lawler, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The days of appeasing regimes that are hostile to the United States, coddling dictators, and sidelining our national security interests are over.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Canada’s democracy has frayed and strained in the years since, but always held—Quebec’s independence movement was subdued by real concessions from the rest of the provinces, for instance.
    Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
  • He was subdued after an officer fired a beanbag round, striking Hermanson and allowing police to arrest him.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As a first-time founder-CEO running a fast-growing SaaS startup, Morgan had conquered his fair share of challenges at high speeds.
    Alla Adam, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • There is no saving the world, no genocidal maniac trying to conquer new realms.
    Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Honestly, Nevermind dominated in 2022 with 204,000 units.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The Yankees dominated Saturday against the Houston Astros, winning 9-3.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout her childhood, Dee Dee subjected her Gypsy-Rose to years of painful medical procedures that were not needed.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Book said the Homeless Trust has been pursuing the partnerships to increase bed capacity and ensure compliance with a new state law that subjects local governments to lawsuits for letting people sleep on the streets.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This Netflix documentary follows three young Brooklyn sisters who join a community track team and, through their dedication to running (and with the support of their team), strive to overcome homelessness, family trauma, and financial struggles.
    Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
  • With all the hurdles Seavey has overcome as an artist, he’s not only been determined to solidify his spot in the industry as a solo artist, but to also make his mark.
    Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Cardinals defeated the Washington Nationals in Tuesday's exhibition in Palm Beach, Florida.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • In the bantamweight main event, Song Yadong defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo via technical decision after an eye poke left Cejudo unable to continue.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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