as in conciliatory
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
a future son-in-law using mollifying flattery to overcome a bad first impression
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appeasing
to lessen the anger or agitation of
an apology would probably mollify your friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviating
to make more bearable or less severe
a friendly gesture that did a lot to mollify their suspicions about the new neighbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mollifying
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
By many accounts retailers were pleased with their level of business Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, mollifying some concerns that higher prices and economic uncertainties would put a big dent in holiday spending.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
The first generation of parents to have resorted, at least occasionally, to mollifying their children by putting digital screens in their hands has now seen those kids grow up.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
By many accounts retailers were pleased with their level of business Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, mollifying some concerns that higher prices and economic uncertainties would put a big dent in holiday spending.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollifying
Adjective
-
Even Meloni’s fiercest political opponent, Elly Shlein, head of the opposition Democratic Party, made a rare conciliatory comment about her.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Magyar's statement was likely greeted with pleasure by many across the European Union, who had grown accustomed to Orbán's conciliatory tone when discussing the war or Putin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
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But then appeasing tradition and upending it both at once, which certainly is the pragmatic philosophy of Lyric, always is a tricky matter.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then the focus is on alleviating homelessness in Michigan as Meagan Dunn of Covenant House Michigan, Ryan Hertz of Lighthouse, and Veronika Scott of The Empowerment Plan talk about the crisis.—
Carol Cain,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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The five-year, $11 billion project will add 16 miles of express lanes and a dedicated busway with the aim of alleviating traffic on one of Atlanta’s most stressful roads.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The London Symphony Orchestra and the Escolania de Montserrat i Cor Cambra Palau de la Música Catalana choir bolster the album, their arrangements ranging from anxious and erratic to soothing and hypnotic.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
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The five sophisticated rooms channel a Switzerland-meets-Ibiza vibe, with plush bedding, soothing gray accents, and funky graphic art.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Menon will be relieving NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who will fly back home on a Soyuz with two cosmonauts soon after Menon’s arrival.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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The Tiami mattress, now 35% off for Memorial Day, is a design-forward, luxury mattress that has cooling and pain-relieving properties.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The man appeared to ask Albee what was the point of helping him, the bodycam footage shows.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
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Four people were spotted helping carry the dress up the steps.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
Adjective
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For Chamberlain, paintings—and paint itself—are nostalgic and comforting.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
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The food was exactly the same—the menu is a fresh and creative take on regional flavors, yet still approachable and comforting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 May 2026
Verb
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State leaders have considered a variety of proposals to address rising costs, from easing property taxes to reforming zoning laws.—
Maxwell Harden,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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Body pillows can support spinal alignment through the night, easing pressure on the back, neck, shoulders and hips, according to mattress maker Naturepedic.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mollifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollifying. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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