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make nice

VERB
allay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alleviate assuage calm ease lessen mitigate mollify pacify
STRONG
abate compose decrease lighten moderate quiet square
WEAK
cool out play up to pour oil on take the bite out take the sting out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate agitate incite increase intensify irritate upset worry worsen
STRONG
enlarge
WEAK
provoke stir
VERB
assuage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allay alleviate appease lessen mitigate mollify pacify placate quench sate satisfy soften temper
STRONG
calm compose conciliate cool ease fill lighten lull moderate palliate propitiate quiet still surfeit sweeten tranquilize
WEAK
pour oil on take the edge off take the sting out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate agitate dissatisfy incite increase intensify irritate provoke trouble upset worry worsen
STRONG
anger deplete excite
WEAK
exacerbate
VERB
soothe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allay alleviate appease assuage cool mitigate mollify pacify relieve soften
STRONG
becalm cheer compose console dulcify help hush lighten lull quiet quieten settle square still stroke subdue tranquilize unburden
WEAK
balm butter up calm down cool off make up patch things up play up to pour oil on smooth down take the edge off take the sting out untrouble
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate agitate incite increase intensify irritate provoke trouble upset worry worsen
STRONG
arouse bring down depress discourage disturb excite hurt move
WEAK
distress

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The two sides are attempting to make nice.

From Barron's • Oct. 20, 2025

Faced with declining foreign investment at home, China has sought to soften its image in the United States and Europe and make nice with some of its neighbors.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2024

If you can’t swap out a stove or furnace, you can at least lower your gas consumption: Electric kettles, induction burners, air fryers, toaster ovens, and electric blankets all make nice holiday presents.

From Slate • Dec. 19, 2023

Good thing Vedder didn’t bust a light, lest he have to make nice with his symphony hosts a second time.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2023

They make nice chicken, which is the best thing they make, and also a pretty good curried goat.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

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