mollify

verb

mol·​li·​fy ˈmä-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce mollify (audio)
mollified; mollifying

transitive verb

1
: to soothe in temper or disposition : appease
mollified the staff with a raise
2
: to reduce the rigidity of : soften
Shaving cream mollifies the beard.
3
: to reduce in intensity : assuage, temper
Time mollified his anger.
mollification noun

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The Difference Between Mollify, Appease, and Placate

Mollify, like its synonyms pacify, appease, and placate, means "to ease the anger or disturbance of." But mollify is particularly well-suited for referring to an act of soothing hurt feelings or anger; it comes from the Latin mollis, meaning "soft."

Choose the Right Synonym for mollify

pacify, appease, placate, mollify, propitiate, conciliate mean to ease the anger or disturbance of.

pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

Examples of mollify in a Sentence

He tried to mollify his critics with an apology. All attempts to mollify the extremists have failed. The landlord fixed the heat, but the tenants still were not mollified.
Recent Examples on the Web Certainly, additional court security measures can partially mollify these risks, but closure of hearings is another tool this court can employ to ensure these parties’ safe access to the courthouse. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024 The document could dispel those notions and also mollify some critics who've blasted Harris for not being more detailed about her policy plans if elected. Emily Peck, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024 Hezbollah has seemed unexpectedly vulnerable in the wake of Israel’s recent attacks, with little in the way of a response that would mollify its internal base. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024 But exuberant, altruistic reasons didn’t mollify many angry residents. Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mollify 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mollify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mollifien, from Middle French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificare, from Latin mollis soft; akin to Greek amaldynein to soften, Sanskrit mṛdu soft, and probably to Greek malakos soft, amblys dull, Old English meltan to melt

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mollify was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near mollify

Cite this Entry

“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mollify. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

mollify

verb
mol·​li·​fy ˈmäl-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce mollify (audio)
mollified; mollifying
1
: to reduce the harshness or violence of
2
: to soothe in temper or disposition : conciliate
mollification noun

More from Merriam-Webster on mollify

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