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.

"They didn't like it and that's going to be our goal, to pacify the crowd."

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

There’s a mercenary quality to the more ostentatious looks; they please crowds or pacify them for long enough to compel closer listening to the intricacies of her music.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

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

Local officials said police would investigate the incident, in an attempt to pacify the villagers.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023

That sleeping on it would help pacify everyone’s big feelings about whatever it was that happened tonight.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing pacify

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