Synonyms of placate

placate

verb

ˈplā-ˌkāt 

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of

attempted to placate the screaming child by offering him a cookie

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appease
• soothe
• mollify
• pacify
• comfort
• propitiate
• calm
• please
• assuage
• conciliate
• satisfy
• disarm
• console
• gentle
• ingratiate
• delight
• tranquilize
• quiet
• gratify
• satiate
• content
• coax
• tranquillize
• cajole
• endear (to)
• gladden
• indulge
• sate
• flatter
• hush
• wheedle
• cater (to)
• baby
• quench
• pamper
• coddle
• spoil
• humor
• sweeten
• soft-soap
• overpraise
• adulate
• sweet-talk
• mollycoddle
• blandish
• blarney
• dulcify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anger
• infuriate
• inflame
• outrage
• annoy
• enrage
• antagonize
• get
• bother
• irritate
• aggravate
• rile
• provoke
• ire
• put out
• cross
• burn (up)
• rouse
• irk
• vex
• exasperate
• rankle
• pique
• bug
• enflame
• ruffle
• chafe
• grate
• harass
• gall
• pester
• persecute
• disturb
• upset
• worry
• incense
• roil
• distress
• agitate
• discomfort
• madden
• unsettle
• offend
• perturb
• harry
• slight
• fret
• insult
• nettle
• peeve
• affront
• unhinge

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

Recent Examples of placate

With the deadline fast approaching, a key House committee eventually came to an agreement to placate its Republican members, at least for the time being, without angering Trump, who has asked his supporters to move on from the heated issue. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 19 July 2025

True Lies Growing up primarily in St. Louis, the oldest of two daughters, Glaser soon became aware of how adults were always placating or downright deceiving children. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 17 July 2025

In response to these criticisms, colleges and universities have offered bromides – i.e., vague ideas intended to placate, not Bromo-Seltzer which is no longer available at CVS – about building industry or employer partnerships. —Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

The last time the Fed cut, in the final four months of 2024, Treasury yields rose almost in perfect reverse correlation to the rate reductions, and the same thing could happen again if markets perceive the Fed is surrendering its inflation-fighting credentials to placate Trump. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 19 July 2025

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