Synonym Chooser

How does the verb placate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of placate are appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When can appease be used instead of placate?

The words appease and placate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

In what contexts can conciliate take the place of placate?

While in some cases nearly identical to placate, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When is mollify a more appropriate choice than placate?

The synonyms mollify and placate are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is it sensible to use pacify instead of placate?

Although the words pacify and placate have much in common, pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When would propitiate be a good substitute for placate?

The meanings of propitiate and placate largely overlap; however, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of placate University administrators should support tough professors and resist the temptation to placate grumbling undergraduates. Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 The collapse of left-leaning digital news outlets like Vice News and BuzzFeed News, and anger among left-of-center audiences at mainstream outlets like CBS, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times over their owners’ moves to placate Trump have fueled appetites for new independent media. Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 News aficionados have given up subscriptions to mainstream publications like The Washington Post in recent months when they are perceived to cede authority or placate those in power. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to tread a thin line between placating Polish sensitivities and avoiding the wrath of nationalist Ukrainians. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for placate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placate
appease
Verb
  • Policies supposed to appease farmers destroyed their land and water.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Some speculated that the move was actually to appease the FCC and ensure a smooth merger between Paramount, CBS’s parent company, and Skydance Media.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Placate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placate. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

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