Synonyms of appease

appease

verb

ə-ˈpēz 

as in to placate

to lessen the anger or agitation of

a game often appeases an upset toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

• placate
• comfort
• soothe
• please
• pacify
• propitiate
• mollify
• calm
• assuage
• conciliate
• satisfy
• console
• disarm
• delight
• gentle
• ingratiate
• quiet
• gratify
• satiate
• tranquilize
• coax
• content
• indulge
• sate
• gladden
• cajole
• endear (to)
• flatter
• quench
• spoil
• hush
• cater (to)
• baby
• wheedle
• humor
• pamper
• coddle
• sweeten
• soft-soap
• overpraise
• adulate
• sweet-talk
• mollycoddle
• blandish
• blarney
• dulcify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anger
• inflame
• infuriate
• annoy
• get
• outrage
• enrage
• antagonize
• bother
• irritate
• aggravate
• provoke
• put out
• ire
• rile
• cross
• burn (up)
• irk
• rouse
• rankle
• vex
• pique
• exasperate
• bug
• ruffle
• harass
• chafe
• grate
• gall
• persecute
• pester
• disturb
• incense
• upset
• worry
• roil
• offend
• agitate
• madden
• distress
• discomfort
• unsettle
• perturb
• harry
• slight
• insult
• fret
• peeve
• nettle
• affront
• unhinge

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of appease

As students flocked out of schools to protest federal immigration enforcement this past month, school leaders were forced to grapple with how to maintain student safety, enforce policies and appease pressure from conservative leaders. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026

Officials in other sports have gone out of their way to appease the White House. —Evan Drellich, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

The attention attracts con artist Jacob (Robbie Allen), who sends three clumsy thieves led by Kodiak (Richmond) to steal the kangaroo and appease the wealthy Kathryn (Kinmont) and her ailing son. —William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026

The smooth Italian leather looks buttery and luxurious, while the simplicity of the silhouette is appeasing my favorite sleek, clean aesthetic. —Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026