appease

Definition of appeasenext

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

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 Part of it is Republican candidates trying to appease independent voters. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026 To appease both protesters and hardline figures, Iranian negotiators are expected to insist to their American counterparts that any final deal must include substantial sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iran’s assets. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026 Until the Sun Explodes doesn’t expand the definition of what a Sublime record can sound like, which may appease longtime devotees who can’t stomach the idea of hearing someone like 100 gecs on a Sublime track. Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 Court life required appeasing those in power, often rulers with little understanding of music. Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for appease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease
Verb
  • But the vote was a clear signal to the president from Republican senators who still want to placate him, despite increasing tensions in recent weeks and his decision Wednesday morning to reverse himself and delay signing a housing bill that received overwhelming bipartisan support.
    Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
  • The approval Monday was met with united criticism by Republicans, who not only disagreed with the budget’s policies, but also said the deal did not placate concerns about the state’s financial health.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Then Richie is taking off on his flight to Japan, nervously looking out the window, when a hand reaches out to comfort him.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 June 2026
  • Images of Emmanuel Macron comforting him a few minutes after the lost World Cup final in Qatar went around the world.
    TIME, Time, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Better yet, soothing ingredients like chamomile flower water and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid keep skin feeling comfortable, so your complexion looks fresh—not overly matte.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
  • The hummingbird rain chain creates a soothing soundtrack on rainy days and makes a beautiful addition to a front porch.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • There’s some heartbreaking moments where Mary’s trying so hard to please him.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 June 2026
  • This is a solid all-rounder that will please most gamers.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • But Syria, a regime still trying to get its legs under it, is not going to march next door and pacify Lebanon—especially not with Israel occupying parts of Syria.
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • And under President Barack Obama, who was all talk and no action, Iran got rich selling sanction-less oil to China even as Obama sent planeloads of cash to pacify Iran.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
  • The vote was largely symbolic but appeared to mollify the president, who earlier in the day canceled a ceremonial signing of a bipartisan housing bill to exert pressure on the Senate to pass an unrelated election law bill.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Or was this a political visit meant to mollify them?
    Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Clear your workspace before the big call, because simple structure turns care into outcomes others can see and calms jitters.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
  • Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz also did his best to de-escalate things, calming Contreras and some of his teammates with pats on the chest.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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