1
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a pacifying treat of milk and cookies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appeasing
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
the referee adopted a pacifying tone to try to calm everyone down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in comforting
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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2
as in subduing
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 pacifying
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Rather than unifying and pacifying a populace, this kind of media encouraged idiosyncratic, extreme views.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 Sep. 2025
And without the pacifying force of the Dalai Lama, there will be fewer guardrails to prevent Sino-Tibetan disputes from sliding into intractable ethnic conflict.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
That transformed the industry by giving it a clear American base — and by pacifying agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission that had been, under Biden, openly hostile.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Rather than unifying and pacifying a populace, this kind of media encouraged idiosyncratic, extreme views.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 Sep. 2025
And without the pacifying force of the Dalai Lama, there will be fewer guardrails to prevent Sino-Tibetan disputes from sliding into intractable ethnic conflict.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifying
Adjective
-
For a more relaxing itinerary, book a mineral water soak in the bathhouse at Carson Hot Springs Resort, which has been providing access to pure hot spring waters since the early 1900s.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Other than that, hot water can be a relaxing treat at other points in the day.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The smooth Italian leather looks buttery and luxurious, while the simplicity of the silhouette is appeasing my favorite sleek, clean aesthetic.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Newsom seems to have recognized that appeasing California’s Democrats puts him out of step with the country.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple officers were involved in subduing Guity and placing him in handcuffs, police said.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As the representative for the armed wing of a human empire, you're tasked with subduing these Lovecraftian abominations and securing a foothold for humanity on alien worlds.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, the Lotus Spa provides a soothing sanctuary and full menu of pricey treatments.—
Fran Golden,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The usually soothing nature of Amy Hood, one of my favorite CFOs, couldn't cut through the clutter.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The White House later changed course and adopted a more conciliatory approach as uproar over the shooting grew.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At his press conference to preview Saturday’s game against West Ham, Nuno struck a more conciliatory tone.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most Americans don’t want our nation to be an imperial aggressor threatening, conquering and plundering weaker nations.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
2 Feb. 2026
-
And with his lengthy playing career under the all-conquering Sir Alex Ferguson, Carrick can lay claim to such heritage.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Revelations in 2020 that Boohoo’s Leicester contractors were subjecting their workers to exploitative pay and unsafe conditions certainly sullied the Midlands city’s reputation.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The process begins by collecting raw gas from waste sites and subjecting it to a rigorous desulfurization stage to remove corrosive sulfur compounds.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Few meals are as comforting as pot roast.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Artichoke dip is always a favorite; queso is another warm and comforting classic.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pacifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifying. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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