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

To appease budget-conscious conservatives in the House, the Treasure Valley trio is taking the state out of the solution, simply empowering local governments to control rats — something Ada County officials previously said they weren’t allowed to do in Idaho. —Mark Dee march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026

Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime. —Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026

While the university officials pointed to finances and low student demand, some professors view the move as a part of a broader effort to appease conservative priorities for higher education, even though the private school operates outside state oversight. —Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

Both agencies appeased a murderer. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026