Definition of mollifynext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mollify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mollify are appease, conciliate, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is appease a more appropriate choice than mollify?

The words appease and mollify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

When might conciliate be a better fit than mollify?

The meanings of conciliate and mollify largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When is it sensible to use pacify instead of mollify?

While in some cases nearly identical to mollify, pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When could placate be used to replace mollify?

In some situations, the words placate and mollify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

Where would propitiate be a reasonable alternative to mollify?

The synonyms propitiate and mollify are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 mollify But not everyone was mollified by the announcement. O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026 The first generation of parents to have resorted, at least occasionally, to mollifying their children by putting digital screens in their hands has now seen those kids grow up. Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026 These attempts to mollify other people exasperate me. Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 In a letter to dozens of political and civic leaders last week, top executives of Aquarion and the Regional Water Authority attempted to mollify critics of a sale. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mollify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollify
Verb
  • Feeling slightly out of place amid this crowd is Annie, here on a lark to appease her sister.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 19 June 2026
  • Part of it is Republican candidates trying to appease independent voters.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill on June 23 seeking to alleviate a growing housing crisis by streamlining construction regulations, encouraging local innovation, and limiting investor purchases of homes, among other steps.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • According to the European Commission, the duty-free de minimis exemption was introduced in order to alleviate administrative burdens for customs authorities and businesses, but the digitalization of customs procedures has ameliorated that issue.
    Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Corlys orders his men to thread the rocky Dragonstone pass at low tide, even relieving the helmsman of the ship’s wheel at the crucial moment.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Philip Abner relieved and got the final out of the inning.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Manney said the process helps eliminate habitats where beetles can continue to spread.
    Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • How other travelers can help When the airline systems fail, however, other travelers may still need to step in to help.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 22 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
  • This is the age of dragons; of course there’s effective anti-dragon tech designed to mitigate in-flight threats.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Moore cautioned people with lung issues or smoke sensitivity to avoid outdoor activities, but said crews have mitigated the hazardous-materials portion of the blaze and are now focused on the biohazard portion posed by spoiled food.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Specialized unit built for tight spaces As summer temperatures rise and futbol fever spreads, the department's new bike EMS team is positioned to ease concerns during emergencies.
    Bo Evans, CBS News, 19 June 2026
  • Amirhosein Khorgooi | Reuters Early signs that the Strait of Hormuz is reopening have eased the most acute threat to global energy supplies, but economic damages from the nearly four months of war will take months to unwind, analysts warned.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollify. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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