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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacify
Her feeds from Paris Fashion Week 2016 are a representative sample—a pacifying stream of cream and white, diamonds and lace, outsize wealth made as banal as breakfast.
—
Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
If Chong is an excessive groomer, he might be stressed out and grooming to pacify himself.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
Netanyahu’s video statement appeared aimed at pacifying anger in his nationalist base at the decision to resume aid.
—Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Abigail’s 2-year-old brother and two of her own children, who were also under the age of 5 — and had pacified the older kids with iPads and Abigail with the drug, the Star-Advertiser previously noted.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
If Chong is an excessive groomer, he might be stressed out and grooming to pacify himself.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
Netanyahu’s video statement appeared aimed at pacifying anger in his nationalist base at the decision to resume aid.
—Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Abigail’s 2-year-old brother and two of her own children, who were also under the age of 5 — and had pacified the older kids with iPads and Abigail with the drug, the Star-Advertiser previously noted.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
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The courtroom was so overcrowded at one point that town officials warned the building might collapse, prompting the judge to set up a temporary court outside to appease the masses.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
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In the marathon overnight session that spanned more than 24 hours, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and his team made several eleventh-hour changes to appease holdouts like Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who had expressed concerns about the bill’s cuts to social safety net programs.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Nimmo’s celebration upon hitting the grand slam was subdued.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
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This season blended bold designs, subdued silhouettes and interesting footwear to tell us one thing: menswear is slowly but surely becoming on-par with its female counterpart.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Iga Świątek dominated American Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon women’s final, winning in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 on Saturday.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
12 July 2025
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That part of the industry, once dominated by amateurs making funny viral videos with smartphones has blossomed into a formidable entertainment force, where video creators are setting up real businesses with large studios in Southern California funded through advertising by major brands.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The singer-songwriter first conquered the tally in May 2021 with Latest Record Project, Volume 1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Oasis were always unashamed in their ambition and bold about conquering the world, but they were staggered by the experience of playing at their club’s home stadium.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Other top foreign suppliers of appliances to the US, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, received letters from Trump subjecting their exports to the US to tariffs as high as 36% instead of the current 10%, as of next month.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
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In moving on from Tucker and not subjecting a rookie to a kicking competition with a potential Hall of Famer, the Ravens softened an already volatile situation.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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