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.

I don't think we should expect to pacify the crowd, that might not be possible.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2024

The industry has previously tried to pacify the public and regulators with promises that never materialized, he said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2024

A Kenyan court blocked a U.N.-backed plan to deploy the country’s officers to help pacify violence on Haiti’s streets.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2024

Nobody else couldn’t pacify him so they called Tea Cake to come see if he could stop him.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Vocabulary lists containing pacify

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