CONCILIATE Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'conciliate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conciliate are appease , mollify , pacify , placate , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

Q: When would 'appease' be a good substitute for 'conciliate'?

The words appease and conciliate can be used in similar contexts, but appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mollify' instead of 'conciliate'?

In some situations, the words mollify and conciliate are roughly equivalent. However, mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger. // a speech that mollified the demonstrators

Q: In what contexts can 'pacify' take the place of 'conciliate'?

Although the words pacify and conciliate have much in common, pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: When might 'placate' be a better fit than 'conciliate'?

The meanings of placate and conciliate largely overlap; however, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

Q: When can 'propitiate' be used instead of 'conciliate'?

The words propitiate and conciliate 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

conciliate

verb

kən-ˈsi-lē-ˌāt

Definition of conciliate next

as in to reconcile

to bring to a state free of conflicts, inconsistencies, or differences it will be hard to conciliate the views of labor and management regarding health benefits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of a principal trying to conciliate the parents who did not receive their tickets to the graduation ceremonies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb conciliate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conciliate are appease, mollify, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When would appease be a good substitute for conciliate?

The words appease and conciliate can be used in similar contexts, but appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

When is it sensible to use mollify instead of conciliate?

In some situations, the words mollify and conciliate are roughly equivalent. However, mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

In what contexts can pacify take the place of conciliate?

Although the words pacify and conciliate have much in common, pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When might placate be a better fit than conciliate?

The meanings of placate and conciliate largely overlap; however, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When can propitiate be used instead of conciliate?

The words propitiate and conciliate 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 conciliate An Andon cofounder tried to conciliate the bot, to little avail. —

Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Feb. 2026 Rather than conciliate a wavering citizenry, two years of occupation had instead inspired tens of thousands of other colonists to join the resistance to British rule. —

Time, 9 Oct. 2025 Brazil and others have been trying to secure talks between the two sides, political rivals that have not conciliated in decades. —

Reuters, NBC News, 13 Aug. 2024 The hope for this person is that officials from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) can mediate and conciliate this epic fight. —

Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2023 This hardly seems sustainable, for Peru, very weak militarily, had every interest in preventing a war between Chile and Bolivia, even apart from the stipulations of Article VIII of the treaty which bound her to seek to conciliate the belligerents. —

Edwin M. Borchard, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2011

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conciliate

Verb

In recent decades, various popes have sought to reconcile with the group and in 2009 Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four bishops ordained in 1988.

— Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Mutual friends are reportedly hoping Swift and Keleigh can reconcile soon.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 30 June 2026