Definition of pacifynext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pacify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pacify are appease, conciliate, mollify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

Where would appease be a reasonable alternative to pacify?

The words appease and pacify can be used in similar contexts, but appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

When is conciliate a more appropriate choice than pacify?

The meanings of conciliate and pacify largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When could mollify be used to replace pacify?

The words mollify and pacify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When might placate be a better fit than pacify?

In some situations, the words placate and pacify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When is it sensible to use propitiate instead of pacify?

Although the words propitiate and pacify have much in common, 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 pacify The Indonesian government therefore declared that East Timor had been pacified. Agathe Demarolle, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026 Still the boy would not be pacified. Danielle Parker, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026 Leo has acknowledged the tensions and sought to pacify the debate, expressing an openness to dialogue and allowing exceptions to Francis’ crackdown. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Now the Red Sox must pivot and find a way to pacify a livid fan base less than one month before spring training begins. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
  • Tauruses usually follow the rules and do what is suggested to thrive and prosper because appeasing others is easier than arguing.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • In a 3-0 battering of Scotland, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeased the people of Miami with a Neymar cameo.
    David Hickey, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Upon their return, most ended up in countries that were invaded and subdued by the German army.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • Over a decade, more than 1,000 people have died across the country after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal, such as physical holds, Tasers and body blows, an investigation led by The Associated Press found.
    HANNAH FINGERHUT, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Hong Kong/Hangzhou/Beijing — When humanoid robots dominated the stage of last year’s Spring Festival Gala with sleek dance routines, Ai Lin saw more than a spectacle.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Brazil has dominated possession but has not turned that into opportunities to score.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • But Alexca, a bubbly toddler who giggles and runs about, has conquered her grandmother’s heart.
    Julie Watson, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Shooting in August, the film follows Asa Jones, a girl from Louisiana who wants to conquer the world of girls’ basketball.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • For an entire weekend, these architects lived and hung out together while scientists subjected them to a litany of personality tests.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
  • Now, the administration is proposing to subject certain types of combination biologics to negotiation in some cases.
    Ed Silverman, STAT, 15 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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