Synonyms of pacify

pacify

verb

ˈpa-sə-ˌfī 

1

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

• appease
• placate
• soothe
• mollify
• calm
• comfort
• propitiate
• please
• conciliate
• disarm
• assuage
• satisfy
• console
• gentle
• ingratiate
• tranquilize
• delight
• quiet
• gratify
• satiate
• content
• coax
• gladden
• endear (to)
• cajole
• indulge
• hush
• sate
• flatter
• quench
• baby
• cater (to)
• wheedle
• pamper
• spoil
• humor
• coddle
• sweeten
• soft-soap
• overpraise
• sweet-talk
• adulate
• mollycoddle
• blandish
• dulcify
• blarney

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anger
• inflame
• infuriate
• antagonize
• enrage
• annoy
• outrage
• aggravate
• irritate
• get
• rile
• provoke
• rouse
• exasperate
• bother
• vex
• ire
• put out
• cross
• burn (up)
• irk
• rankle
• bug
• pique
• ruffle
• harass
• chafe
• grate
• gall
• disturb
• upset
• persecute
• agitate
• pester
• distress
• roil
• incense
• worry
• discomfort
• madden
• perturb
• unsettle
• offend
• harry
• insult
• slight
• nettle
• fret
• peeve
• affront
• unhinge

2

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

• subdue
• dominate
• conquer
• subject
• defeat
• overcome
• subjugate
• enslave
• vanquish
• subordinate
• reduce
• overpower
• crush
• quell
• beat
• annihilate
• suppress
• smash
• lick
• whip
• mow (down)
• repress
• prevail (over)
• rout
• quash
• triumph (over)
• thrash
• trounce
• clobber
• smother
• silence
• squelch
• drub
• wallop
• squash
• put down
• snuff (out)
• crack down (on)
• break
• skunk
• clamp down (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• emancipate
• release
• enfranchise
• discharge
• free
• spring
• manumit
• unbind
• unchain
• unfetter
• uncage

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

Recent Examples of pacify

The wave of brutal vigilante justice has made the conflict in Haiti even more complicated at the same time as international forces have sought to pacify the country. — ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026

There are always crises to manage and factions to pacify. — Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026

The Indonesian government therefore declared that East Timor had been pacified. — Agathe Demarolle, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026

Caroline has trouble accepting Carolyn's desire for a private wedding, leading Carolyn to pacify her with a maid of honor proposal. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!