pacify

pac·i·fy

verb \ˈpa-sə-ˌfī\

pac·i·fiedpac·i·fy·ing

Definition of PACIFY

transitive verb

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

Examples of PACIFY

1. She resigned from her position to pacify her accusers.
2. Their efforts to pacify the nation by force failed.
3. trying to pacify a mob of protesters

Origin of PACIFY

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PACIFY

Synonyms: appease, assuage, conciliate, disarm, gentle, mollify, placate, propitiate

Antonyms: anger, enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, ire, madden, outrage

Related Words: calm, comfort, console, content, hush, quiet, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize); endear (to), ingratiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please; adulate, blarney, flatter, overpraise, soft-soap; quench, sate, satiate, satisfy; cater (to), humor, indulge; blandish, cajole, coax, sweet-talk, wheedle; baby, coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil; dulcify, sweeten

Near Antonyms: aggravate, annoy, antagonize, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, cross, exasperate, gall, get, grate, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, pique, put out, rankle, rile, roil, ruffle, vex; provoke, rouse; harass, harry, persecute, pester; agitate, discomfort, distress, disturb, fret, perturb, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, offend, slight

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Synonym Discussion of PACIFY

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>.