APPEASE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'appease' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate , mollify , pacify , placate , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: Where would 'conciliate' be a reasonable alternative to 'appease'?

The meanings of conciliate and appease largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

Q: When can 'mollify' be used instead of 'appease'?

The synonyms mollify and appease are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger. // a speech that mollified the demonstrators

Q: When is 'pacify' a more appropriate choice than 'appease'?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: When might 'placate' be a better fit than 'appease'?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease , placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

Q: When would 'propitiate' be a good substitute for 'appease'?

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being. // propitiated his parents by dressing up

appease

verb

ə-ˈpēz

Definition of appease

as in to placate

to lessen the anger or agitation of a game often appeases an upset toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb appease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

Where would conciliate be a reasonable alternative to appease?

The meanings of conciliate and appease largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When can mollify be used instead of appease?

The synonyms mollify and appease are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is pacify a more appropriate choice than appease?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When might placate be a better fit than appease?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When would propitiate be a good substitute for appease?

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of appease Bow down to the left-wing media mob to appease podcasters like Wilder and Hill? — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Some visitors had expressed fears that exhibits, such as the casket of Emmett Till and a Greensboro lunch counter housed at the neighboring American History Museum, may have been altered to appease the administration’s concerns. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 The fickle pop public Cyrus once wanted to appease no longer seems to no longer have any leverage over her. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Growing up, many of us remember dutifully taking a few more bites of protein (and, of course, vegetables) to appease our moms before we were allowed to progress to the sweet, carb-heavy goodness of dessert. — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease

Verb

As ever in this intensely political world, various forces had to align, and big names placated, before things could progress.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu’s uncompromising stance helps placate his extremist coalition partners, justify permanent Israeli military control over Gaza, and indefinitely forestall any political accommodation with the Palestinians.

— KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of placate

Verb

Warm yet uplifting with a strong hit of black tea, Still Bloom's cardomom, sesame, and orange top notes hit like a shot of caffeine before dissipating into a mellow, comforting underbelly of musk, rose and cedarwood, to name a few.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
The district said an elementary school principal, a former teacher, and a former assistant, all of whom knew the students, went to the scene to help comfort them.

— Joe Brandt, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of comfort

Verb

On top of that, the plugs offer passive isolation (the seal of the bud) and adaptive sound masking (soothing audio tracks that help cover up your beloved’s snoring).

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The restaurant on the ground floor features red brick arches, midcentury sconces and a soothing interior with plush beige armchairs and warm wood accents.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

Rulers on the Nile did not rely solely on their own human powers but worshipped and propitiated a natural world that was alive with gods.

— Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
The credulous faith that these superpowers will voluntarily settle for some form of peaceful coexistence, if only they are sufficiently propitiated with concessions, is naive and dangerous.

— Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025

Definition of propitiate

Verb

To mollify the weathering forces that can twist or pull their systems apart, engineers at Ciel & Terre, a French floating solar array manufacturer, reshaped its design.

— Sal Vaglica, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Existing stakeholders had to be mollified so that F1’s prize fund could grow to accommodate a new team rather than be diluted.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of mollify

Verb

Kjærvik said calming exercises, social support, group discussion, or other aspects of a retreat are more likely to explain why participants might feel calmer afterward than venting.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
The staff are friendly and are happy to facilitate requests like for in-room Peloton bikes, special calming playlists or local neighborhood tips.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of calm

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appeasable

appease

appeased

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“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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