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
The district appeased the coaches enough to avoid a boycott — but a silent protest still took shape.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
And yet, beneath the veil of politeness, there was rhetoric from the US president that suggests his default position in negotiations is still to pressure Kyiv, while appeasing Moscow.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Drouhin notes that many of the wineries’ histories stretch back centuries, meaning there are multiple branches of the family and a lot of cousins to appease.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025
Republican leaders now face growing pressure to appease centrist members who are threatening to side with Democrats to approve an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years.
—Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appease
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
And yet, beneath the veil of politeness, there was rhetoric from the US president that suggests his default position in negotiations is still to pressure Kyiv, while appeasing Moscow.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Drouhin notes that many of the wineries’ histories stretch back centuries, meaning there are multiple branches of the family and a lot of cousins to appease.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025
Republican leaders now face growing pressure to appease centrist members who are threatening to side with Democrats to approve an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years.
—Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease
Verb
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Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has struck a more conciliatory tone, urging dialogue and promising economic reforms in bid to placate demonstrators demanding political change, action on corruption and relief from rising living costs.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The authoritative tone from the Air Force panel seemed to placate the press, even though officials never actually offered a definitive explanation.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That’s unlikely to comfort the oil industry that new Venezuelan and US governments don’t change the rules on them years down the line.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Season two of the now award-winning, critical and commercial hit medical drama once again kicks things off with Robby heading to the hospital for his shift, but aside from our fearless leader being back on our screens, the whole setup feels less than comforting this time around.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Why not start things off by repainting the living room—there are many shades that designers absolutely love for their soothing factor.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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Entering a bedroom that’s painted a light blue color feels soothing and relaxing; a bathroom that’s a soft shade of green is pleasant to bathe in.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There’s always someone around the corner who’s eager to please you.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Total Wine & More’s 2025 advent calendar of wine features varietals from all over the world that are sure to please even the pickiest oenophile.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With their help, Spain pacifies China, which becomes the jewel in the Spanish imperial crown and a strategic platform for further conquest.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
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The Gators raced out to a 13-7 lead against the Bulldogs after two quarters, but fans were not pacified by the product on the field.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The question is whether a debate of this issue, even if amendments to kill it aren’t adopted, will be enough to mollify enough Freedom Caucus members for the bill to pass — or if SPEED will be the latest permitting effort to crash and burn.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
16 Dec. 2025
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By many accounts retailers were pleased with their level of business Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, mollifying some concerns that higher prices and economic uncertainties would put a big dent in holiday spending.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Pair it with a calming playlist and deep breaths, and even a red-eye can feel restorative.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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It's designed to offer a satisfying and calming shuffling motion, guided by a strong magnet and a seamless sliding track on the inside.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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