pacifies; pacified; pacifying
1
: to cause (someone who is angry or upset) to become calm or quiet
pacify [=soothe] a crying child
She resigned from her position to pacify her accusers.
2
: to cause or force (a country, a violent group of people, etc.) to become peaceful
Their efforts to pacify the nation by force failed.
trying to pacify a mob of protesters
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pacify. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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