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
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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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pacify
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
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Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
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While the university officials pointed to finances and low student demand, some professors view the move as a part of a broader effort to appease conservative priorities for higher education, even though the private school operates outside state oversight.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police attempted multiple nonlethal methods to subdue the man, including the use of a Taser and pepper spray, before one officer fired a gun.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Backed by his wife’s wealthy family, Coronado hoped to amass a fortune equal to that of Hernan Cortez, who had brutally subdued the Aztecs.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While there’s little need to leave for dining, with the three on-site options easily dominating a weekend stay, nearby venues like Locanda Verde and Cafe Atelier could easily sub for the room service and free in-room Nespresso machines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Posing in a new campaign for Miu Miu's 2026 leather goods, Hadid complemented her playful new pixie with bright, block colors that also echoed the primary hues that dominated 1960s fashion and film.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Japanese conquered the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island.—
Gil Troy,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Alienation doesn’t only spur people to conquer the system that alienated them.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will subject nearly 55,000 Vermont Medicaid recipients to work requirements – about a third of the state's enrollees.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Is such an existential shriek into the abyss, all while living in a society suffused by mind-numbing grief and nationalism, worth subjecting yourself to?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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