Main Entry: pac·i·fy

Pronunciation: \ˈpa-sə-ˌfī\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): pac·i·fied; pac·i·fy·ing

Etymology: Middle English pacifien, from Anglo-French pacifier, from Latin pacificare, from pac-, pax peace

Date: 15th century

1 a : to allay the anger or agitation of : soothe <pacify a crying child> b : appease, propitiate
2 a : to restore to a tranquil state : settle <made an attempt to pacify the commotion> b : to reduce to a submissive state : subdue <forces moved in to pacify the country>

— pac·i·fi·able \ˌpa-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl\ adjective

synonyms 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>.