as in to placate
to lessen the anger or agitation of
a game often appeases an upset toddler
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Recent Examples of appease
As the nationwide garbage standoff between Teamsters union members and Republic Services continues, some Bay Area cities are resorting to temporary drop-off sites this weekend to appease residents’ concerns about mounting trash.
—
Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Just as we’re wired to fight, flee or freeze when threatened, fawning is the instinct to appease, please and self-abandon at any cost in order to stay safe—a survival response often mistaken for being agreeable, easygoing or helpful, Clayton notes.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The courtroom was so overcrowded at one point that town officials warned the building might collapse, prompting the judge to set up a temporary court outside to appease the masses.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
But on Wednesday, Ghiz said the hearing was held entirely to appease Bennett's client, a drug dealer who had demanded that Bennett argue his case in court.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for appease
Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Just as we’re wired to fight, flee or freeze when threatened, fawning is the instinct to appease, please and self-abandon at any cost in order to stay safe—a survival response often mistaken for being agreeable, easygoing or helpful, Clayton notes.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The courtroom was so overcrowded at one point that town officials warned the building might collapse, prompting the judge to set up a temporary court outside to appease the masses.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
But on Wednesday, Ghiz said the hearing was held entirely to appease Bennett's client, a drug dealer who had demanded that Bennett argue his case in court.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for appease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease
Verb
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In response to these criticisms, colleges and universities have offered bromides – i.e., vague ideas intended to placate, not Bromo-Seltzer which is no longer available at CVS – about building industry or employer partnerships.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The last time the Fed cut, in the final four months of 2024, Treasury yields rose almost in perfect reverse correlation to the rate reductions, and the same thing could happen again if markets perceive the Fed is surrendering its inflation-fighting credentials to placate Trump.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
19 July 2025
Verb
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While the idea of you and your partner being on the same page about most things sounds comforting, researchers surprisingly found that being similar doesn’t always translate to being satisfied.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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The classic American diner, with its promise of comforting, hearty meals, has always held a special place.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Niacinamide helps refine texture, hyaluronic acid keeps hydration levels in check, and vitamin E adds a soothing antioxidant boost.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Soak in a naturally heated pool while enjoying the beauty of the adjacent Sinclair Canyon rock cliffs and the soothing chant of Sinclair Creek.—
Jenny Wisniewski,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Verb
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Too eager to please and be manipulated, essentially.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
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The models keep getting bigger, the marketing keeps promising more, but a fundamental mismatch remains: a system trained to please can't deliver the reality check that therapy sometimes demands.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Verb
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An Encompass hospital in Texarkana, Texas, misused antipsychotic medications to pacify patients, resulting in an immediate jeopardy finding from CMS, the report said.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
17 July 2025
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The response was Pavlovian, the practice ingrained in her by her own mother, who spent much of her time pacifying her insecure and whiny husband.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
Verb
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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
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Since 1979, the United States has sought to contain or propitiate the regime in Tehran.—
Danielle Pletka,
National Review,
6 Nov. 2023
Verb
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Putin can mollify Trump with talk of his desire for peace.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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That rationale did little to mollify detractors who alleged that Trump’s complaints were thin.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Firemen in their command center calm the fears of the locals who call in, law enforcement tracks down tomb robbers, while in the port of Torre Annunziata, Syrian tankers unload Ukrainian grain.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
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Jorgenson is not one of those — for him, the preparation itself is calming.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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