pacify

[pas-uh-fahy] / ˈpæs əˌfaɪ /

VERB

make peaceful; appease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allay ameliorate assuage mitigate mollify placate quell repress smooth over soothe tame

STRONG

calm chasten compose con conciliate cool dulcify grease lull moderate propitiate qualify quiet relieve silence soft pedal soften square still stroke subdue sweeten temper tranquilize

WEAK

bury the hatchet butter up fix up kiss and make up lay back make peace pacificate put the lid on take the edge off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate agitate incite intensify irritate provoke upset worry worsen

STRONG

anger arouse excite rouse trouble

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.

We are easier to marginalize and to pacify if we fold ourselves into such tiny boxes.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2024

It starts with Lamar rapping quickly but calmly over a smooth-jazz backdrop, taunting, “I make music that electrify ’em, you make music that pacify ’em.”

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

The celebration lasted for half an hour before they realized this was just a piece of wishful thinking someone had spread around to pacify them.

From Slate • Nov. 29, 2023

Mr Coles's brother Mark said "We heard promises from HAL at the inquest for improvements to worker safety. These cannot simply be empty promises to pacify the coroner. They must result in real change."

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2023

Two years had done little to pacify the San Franciscan hostility for the automobile.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Vocabulary lists containing pacify

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