PACIFY Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pacify

verb

ˈpa-sə-ˌfī

Definition of pacify next

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of the only thing that would pacify the child and end the tantrum was a new toy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to subdue

to bring under one's control by force of arms additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a revolution, which Iran had helped bloodily pacify, finally achieved its goal. —

Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026 Unfree people can sometimes be more easily pacified if their incomes are rising and opportunities for their children are expanding. —

Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pacify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify

Verb

Eventually, the mom of two took matters into her own hands to try to appease her scene partner.

— Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Don’t appease your child if the result could be pet neglect.

— Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026