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
1
as in appeasing
to lessen the anger or agitation of
an apology would probably mollify your friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mollifying
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
Verb
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
Adjective
-
Shange’s rainbow assemblage manages to be confrontational and conciliatory through a confessional accumulation that collapses poetry, movement, and ritual into a single and ever-changing event.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Sporting director Matt Hobbs initially moved to calm things down, holding conciliatory meetings with the management to draw the sting from the situation.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the past month, Iranian officials have tried to carefully balance negotiations with Trump while appeasing powerful factions across the country’s diverse political landscape, including the Paydari group.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Crews conducting an overnight operation discovered the crack on the tank, which was alleviating its pressure.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
But despite major investor commitments and partnerships being signed to bring jobs and money into the country, the scale of the devastation means that alleviating poverty and bringing people back home will take time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
That palms-together, head-bobbing, smiling Thai service creates the most soothing, de-stressing atmosphere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The formula also uses AnnonaSense, ceramides, glycerin and shea butter, among other soothing ingredients, to hydrate and retain moisture, while also working to help neutralize visible redness.—
Rachel Burchfield,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
For a pain-relieving exercise, lie on your back and put a belt around your knees.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
29 May 2026
-
Ideally, this will take place immersed in nature, the quintessential stress-relieving environment.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Guests are encouraged to get involved by taking an apiary tour of the bee hives, helping with coral reef restoration, building fish shelters, or joining a snorkeling safari of the giant clam sanctuary at Punta Bunga beach.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Technology is increasingly being viewed as a key enabler of operational clarity, helping family offices strengthen decision-making and support long-term growth.—
Paul Westall,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.—
Julie Kaplow,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
The show's plot revolves around tropes that are intentionally comforting and formulaic—fake dating, jock meets girl next door, and opposites attract—and evidently, the styling follows suit.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria — like South Africa — had been easing monetary policy before the conflict broke out, but chose to hold their lending rates steady in recent weeks.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
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The Supreme Court appears to be easing the way for people and companies to make claims over the confiscation of Cuban property when Fidel Castro seized power in 1959.—
Robert W. Wood,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mollifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollifying. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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