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 Live records could also be a way of fulfilling a contractual obligation (too many examples to cite) or a way to mollify fans who were going to have to wait a while for another studio record (Fleetwood Mac’s 1980’s concert record, which bridged the gap between Tusk and Mirage). David Browne, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025 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 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
  • To appease conservatives, GOP leaders agreed to separate the Commerce, Justice and science portion from the other two bills.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The country is now being led by the former Vice-President, Delcy Rodríguez, who is trying to appease Trump and fend off internal challenges, as our foreign correspondent Jon Lee Anderson explains on the latest episode of the Political Scene podcast.
    Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That said, there is some evidence that cinnamon and honey may help alleviate specific cold symptoms.
    Kristina Herndon, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Modern stabilization technology will help alleviate some of the shakiness, resulting in a smoother overall recording experience.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • After eight games, Lions Coach Dan Campbell opted to relieve Morton of his play-calling duties and take over for the rest of the season.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
  • To an extent, Adams is just relieved to have this opportunity on the field.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Conversely, collision coverage helps when your own car is damaged in a crash, whereas medical coverage helps cover treatment costs following an accident.
    Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Additional mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie could temporarily help lower mortgage costs, but that approach also could have unintended consequences, according to TD Securities analysts.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Aquaphor Lip Repair Balm not only soothes and heals dry lips, but also has SPF 30 sunscreen for additional protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 15 Jan. 2026
  • In prior administrations, the division has moved quickly to open and publicly announce such investigations, not only to reflect federal jurisdiction over potential civil rights violations but also in hopes of soothing community angst that sometimes accompanies shootings involving law enforcement.
    Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But efforts to mitigate human harms—restricting harvests, remodeling dams, breeding salmon in hatcheries—are yielding diminishing returns.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Adding milk to coffee may help mitigate this effect.
    Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Panthers will look to establish their run game to ease pressure on Bryce Young.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The review also supports earlier findings that gum chewing can ease stress, but only in certain situations.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollify. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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