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 Brizé’s latest is about a woman swimming in the turbulent waters of middle management, trying to both appease her superiors and deal with problematic employees who can’t seem to get along. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Years of appeasing Vladimir Putin easily qualify for that mantle. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 My film questions what consists of beauty, beauty from whose point of view, and beauty to appease whose desire. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 He's race-baiting to appease the people who shamed him for his previous juvenile lifestyle, while quietly surrounding himself with mostly white men. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease

Verb

In hopes of placating his daughters, Andrew bought Lizzie and Emma a home to rent out, per American Heritage.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Andy Burnham’s balancing act Rising costs also add to the pressure on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has pledged to tackle the cost-of-living burden but is also tasked with balancing the public books and placating the bond market.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of placate

Verb

The Jaguars scored on the next play to take a 28-3 lead, after which Patriots coach Mike Vrabel could be seen on the sideline with both hands on Maye’s shoulders in an apparent attempt to comfort his quarterback.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
The food is a mixed bag—ranging from comforting to unimpressive to genuinely delicious, in the case of Or’esh, which was the clear standout.

— Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of comfort

Verb

As a result, the spirits are crafted with a key ingredient of manuka honey that helps protect the throat paired alongside more soothing botanicals such as bee pollen and chamomile.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Iron is long associated with immune support, soda is believed to aid digestion, arsenic is traditionally used to soothe arthritic pain, and lithia is prized for its calming qualities.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

The series produced by Mia Oikanen for Warner Bros Int’l Television Production Finland tells of a shy theater prop master who accidentally becomes a killer while trying to please everyone around her, especially her narcissistic mom.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
The question now is whether the New York audiences will prove harder to please — though even if NYFF reactions are more muted than those in Telluride, the film will likely retain some mystique headed into its mid-October theatrical debut.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of please

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

Imagine a sprawling network of roomy bike lanes, generously landscaped to calm relentless traffic.

— Barbara Kingsley-Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The next year, Varjao and her husband Miguel Salinas opened their own Sea Love franchise of Sea Love in Oak Park and are striving to provide that same calming feeling for the community that Varjao felt during that family outing.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of calm

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appeasable

appease

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“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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