mollifying 1 of 2

adjective

as in conciliatory
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility a future son-in-law using mollifying flattery to overcome a bad first impression

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mollifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mollify
1
as in appeasing
to lessen the anger or agitation of an apology would probably mollify your friend

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviating
to make more bearable or less severe a friendly gesture that did a lot to mollify their suspicions about the new neighbor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 mollifying
Verb
Netflix’s decision back then was in part aimed at mollifying shareholders, who at the time were flipping out over a slowdown in subscriber growth. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 July 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 By many accounts retailers were pleased with their level of business Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, mollifying some concerns that higher prices and economic uncertainties would put a big dent in holiday spending. — David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollifying
  1. conciliatory
  2. appeasing
  3. alleviating
  4. soothing
  5. relieving
  6. comforting
  7. helping
  8. benevolent
Adjective
  • Adams, usually so conciliatory, plainly voices her disgust with the unethical Mexican clinic which gave McQueen false hope, and side-eyes his late-in-life turn to Christianity.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For her part, the polarizing Molokoane — who has faced calls for her resignation from industry bodies — struck a conciliatory tone in Durban.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of conciliatory
Verb
  • The bill now also includes a compromise on stablecoin yield aimed at appeasing banking interests by directing the Treasury secretary to restrict rewards if deposit flight from community banks occurs on a substantial scale.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In 1938, British, French, German and Italian leaders concluded the Munich Agreement, which was aimed at appeasing Adolf Hitler by allowing Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of appeasing
Verb
  • Today, chatbots can run the actuarial numbers, potentially alleviating some uncertainty concerns by, say, offering a close approximation for achieving life milestones.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • These turnovers also set up touchdowns, alleviating the pent-up stress of the first half.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of alleviating
Adjective
  • For sensitive or dry underarms, the deodorant also uses a soothing blend of shea butter, spirulina, and niacinamide to keep pits comfortable all day long.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On the upside, the villas are one of the more soothing spots for a mild hangover.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of soothing
Verb
  • This can involve releasing residual propellant, relieving pressure, and discharging or disconnecting batteries to reduce the risk of accidental explosions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • That incident displaced thousands until a crack formed in the overheating tank, relieving the pressure and ending the risk of explosion.
    — Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of relieving
Adjective
  • The meals here strike a strong balance between comforting and elevated, and all ingredients are locally sourced.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In a city where change is constant — especially in the food and beverage scene — Charlotte’s classic restaurants are among the most beloved places to gather with family and friends or stop in for a comforting bite to eat.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • He is widely credited with liberalizing Israel’s economy and helping transform the country into a global high-tech hub.
    — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Maria would spend years debating the ideas of early economics with Malthus, his friends, and eventually his successor, helping to influence their thinking and inform their research.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of helping
Adjective
  • Larger-than-life Halloween celebrations rise up every October like the Great Pumpkin (or a benevolent spooky spirit or two) to captivate visitors with parades, caramel apples, costume contests, and more.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of benevolent

Browse Nearby Words

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mollifying
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Cite this Entry

“Mollifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollifying. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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