1
as in to appease
to lessen the anger or agitation of
the only thing that would pacify the child and end the tantrum was a new toy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacify
Tradition is both a source of security and a pacifying trap today.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Despite American claims that the attack on Bud Dajo would pacify the restive Moros, the unrest continued.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Some of the men, scorning old wives’ tales, prefer to pacify God and ask him for protection from the elements.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Not every unhappy person can be completely pacified, but reaching out to offer to listen can certainly be a valuable step in reducing negative noise.
—Dee Blohm, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Usa Today, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Despite American claims that the attack on Bud Dajo would pacify the restive Moros, the unrest continued.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Some of the men, scorning old wives’ tales, prefer to pacify God and ask him for protection from the elements.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Not every unhappy person can be completely pacified, but reaching out to offer to listen can certainly be a valuable step in reducing negative noise.
—Dee Blohm, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
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It was changed at the final hour to move up the start date for work requirements from 2029 to 2026 to appease hard-liners who threatened to withhold their votes and imperil the bill’s passage.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Tiller is set to release albums in back-to-back years for the first time in his career, as fans’ appetites will be appeased.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Investment spending picked up around 2016 but hit a wall with Covid, and has been subdued since.—
William Dunkelberg,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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One of the suspects had to be subdued with a stun gun.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Educate Yourself, And Be Prepared The very best way to conquer your business fear and build confidence as a leader is to do the work required to be at your best.—
Michelle Mekky,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Putnam was always photographed with famous people: standing next to Charles Lindbergh, first man to fly solo across the Atlantic; posing with Commander Byrd, the man who conquered the South Pole; smiling with Howard Carter, the man who discovered King Tut.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
25 May 2025
Verb
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The pop icons are already dominating iTunes this Friday (June 6), as Americans once again rush to buy music by the Backstreet Boys en masse.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Silver did admit, however, that the ratings discussion that often dominates the conversation is an irritant for him.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Foreign governments often engage in smear campaigns against anyone that does not toe the line, subjecting them to public excoriation and private surveillance.—
Schuyler Moore,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Mengele sought out twins who arrived at Auschwitz in order to subject them to medical experiments.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Learning how to overcome your own anxiety is the first step to helping your kids do the same, said Robbins.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
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Skubal overcame a Tommy John procedure in college and a flexor tendon surgery earlier in his big-league career to become one of baseball’s elite pitchers.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Florida is 48-15 on the season and defeated its conference foe, Georgia, in the Super Regional.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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Su-hun represents everything Mun-oh aspires to be, serving as both inspiration and source of secret envy that has left Mun-oh feeling perpetually defeated.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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