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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacify
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
With their help, Spain pacifies China, which becomes the jewel in the Spanish imperial crown and a strategic platform for further conquest.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
The Gators raced out to a 13-7 lead against the Bulldogs after two quarters, but fans were not pacified by the product on the field.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
To keep the Russian public pacified, the Kremlin ran its military campaign by recruiting volunteers, who were paid quite well, including criminals avoiding prison.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
With their help, Spain pacifies China, which becomes the jewel in the Spanish imperial crown and a strategic platform for further conquest.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
The Gators raced out to a 13-7 lead against the Bulldogs after two quarters, but fans were not pacified by the product on the field.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
To keep the Russian public pacified, the Kremlin ran its military campaign by recruiting volunteers, who were paid quite well, including criminals avoiding prison.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
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Trying to appease hungry, stone-throwing workers, the English elite carved up twenty acres of land on the outskirts of London into tiny provisioning gardens.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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As students flocked out of schools to protest federal immigration enforcement this past month, school leaders were forced to grapple with how to maintain student safety, enforce policies and appease pressure from conservative leaders.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lighting throughout the camp is deliberately subdued, with warm-temperature luminaires and dim solar path lights that create minimal pollution and allow for maximum Milky Way views.—
Megan Eaves,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, the permacrisis in the economy, which endured despite Caracas’ introduction of a national crypto currency, the Petro, to bypass US sanctions, or the central bank’s removal of five zeros from the national currency, the Bolivar, to subdue hyperinflation.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rather than allowing a single hero product to dominate, Safdie expanded the narrative across collections, pushing further into tailoring and Old Hollywood references.—
Amy Francombe,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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The rooms Mojave Sands has just five rooms—two suites and three guest rooms—and each one of them feels deliberately out of step with the rustic aesthetic that dominates much of Joshua Tree.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her victory continues the comeback theme – a narrative of paths conquered, attempted, thwarted and ongoing – that has come to define the alpine women skiers of these 2026 Games.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Basically, look for a design that looks like as though was made for walking in the Mediterranean, but also for conquering the city streets.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The appeals court also found that testimony presented to the grand jury through the ISP investigator subjected Kilkelly to a prejudicial denial of due process, and that dismissal of the original charges by Judge Fix was proper.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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His case also lays bare a US immigration system that routinely subjects migrants to prolonged detention under harsh conditions – one that human rights organizations say overwhelmingly ensnares Black and brown people far from the public spotlight.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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