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 To help mollify the community, Activision announced that all the guns and Operator skins from MWII would carry over to MWIII. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Although an apolitical military appeals to democracies such as the United States, this trend would have startled rather than mollified Xi. Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025 In an apparent effort to mollify the Ukrainian president — at least to some degree — Trump has suggested a meeting of all three leaders could almost immediately follow his meeting with Putin. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025 But that finding did little to mollify conspiracy theorists and others who believe that Epstein was killed to protect other powerful men involved in his trafficking ring and that the federal government is in on it. Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mollify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollify
Verb
  • The statement could have also been to appease producer groups to some extent who are against these import ideas.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This does nothing to appease Robert’s obsession.
    Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Research shows that people who acknowledge or apologize for rejection risk activating the rejectee’s ire, rather than alleviating hurt feelings.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
  • All the while, opportunities for renewable energy development — which could quickly alleviate some of the pain from electric bills and electricity demand from new industry — are constricting across the state.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) was relieved by Andy Dalton in a rock fight win against the New York Jets.
    Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
  • There are five levels of compression that push heat (or cold) deeper into your tissue, helping to relieve pain and stiffness.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When it was announced that Girls collaborators Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan (both Jewish) had been hired as showrunners for Season 2, the news brought some hope that Konner’s perspective in particular would help to make these characters lovable.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Cunha helped earn his start by reporting to Carrington a day before scheduled last week after returning from Japan with Brazil.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Glacial water helps rebalance minerals, squalane restores suppleness, and olive leaf extract soothes redness and helps keep breakouts in check with its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Pottery Barn’s outlet is filled with cozy fall quilts for every bed size and an array of seasonal hues, from soothing neutrals to dark statement colors.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Cities and counties would also be able to apply for the grants to mitigate risk in their communities.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • While tariffs on trade partners across the world remain the subject of constant discussion and scrutiny both inside and outside government, the administration is reportedly taking quiet steps behind the scenes to mitigate their punishing impact on American companies and shoppers.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Key Takeaways Cumin, coriander, and fennel may ease bloating and gas by supporting digestion.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, worries about oversupply have pressured the oil market, with the price of Brent and WTI both at near five-month lows – potentially easing the inflation burden for Americans, if gas prices follow oil prices lower.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollify. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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