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 The reset was meant to mollify Putin and deter further aggression by creating new avenues for economic and security cooperation. Alexander Vindman, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2025 The major law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (called Paul, Weiss), targeted by President Trump in an executive order, opted to mollify rather than confront the president. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 22 Mar. 2025 More recently, Iranian brass have made mollifying noises towards the new Syria regime. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 To mollify Sacramento interests, the A’s will also wear a Sacramento patch in 2025, its first year since leaving Oakland. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mollify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollify
Verb
  • That probably means someone who can appease enough of the traditionalists, enough of the progressives, and a solid majority of the moderates.
    Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
  • Google has previously explored selling its ad exchange to appease European antitrust regulators, Reuters reported in September.
    David Shepardson and Jody Godoy, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Press coverage at the time of Alexander’s death focused in part on her operation of Anger Room, a business in Dallas where customers could alleviate stress by smashing items in rooms made to look like a workplace or a living area.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025
  • This development alleviates pressures on the semiconductor industry, which has been impacted by supply chain disruptions and uncertain business conditions.
    Tony Zhang, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Both federal and local initiatives could help spur more homebuilding, helping relieve the affordability crunch in many regions, Evangelou said.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 15 May 2025
  • Consult a healthcare provider if dietary changes do not relieve constipation symptoms.
    Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • By continuously observing and analyzing these data, these systems generate personalized interventions designed to help users manage times of mental strain.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • To partially offset the lost revenue, Republicans propose repealing or phasing out more quickly the clean energy tax credits passed during Joe Biden’s presidency, helping to bring down the overall cost of the tax portion to about $3.8 trillion.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Lighting fixtures are inspired by the Indian tradition of hair oiling, a chair is meant to soothe anxiety and wall art is made of construction materials tied to a childhood memory.
    Anna Kodé, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • Celebrate this soothing herb with live music, seminars, demos, workshops, farm tours and other activities on the Western Slope.
    Sarah Kuta, Denver Post, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The trillions in investment that the world needs to mitigate and adapt to climate change will come in forms that might otherwise be classified broadly as infrastructure, venture capital, or private equity.
    Justin Worland, Time, 10 May 2025
  • These observational networks are the factual basis upon which all efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change are based.
    Eric Morgan, Wired News, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The most immediate focus is expected to be easing the punishing tariffs that have brought U.S.-China trade in sectors such as consumer electronics, agriculture, and industrial goods to a standstill.
    Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 9 May 2025
  • Now, that seems to be easing, amid a shifting interest-rate environment and new approaches to game-making, as numerous speakers at the recent Los Angeles Games Conference detailed.
    David Bloom, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollify. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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