PLACATE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

placate

verb

ˈplā-ˌkāt

Definition of placate next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The movie becomes a two-hander between Scott’s Stagg and Fraser’s Eisenhower, the former convinced that a storm on June 5 will make conditions less than ideal, the latter raging at the uncertainty while simultaneously attempting to placate a phalanx of military personnel. —

Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 Putin has struggled to manage fighting Kyiv on the one hand and placating domestic constituencies on the other. —

Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026 House leaders added that language to placate conservative holdouts, many of whom oppose extending Section 702 without reforms to the program. —

Stefan Becket, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 In your opinion, should the shop have handled this differently—perhaps compensating or at least placating me? —

Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for placate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for placate

appease

Verb

Tauruses usually follow the rules and do what is suggested to thrive and prosper because appeasing others is easier than arguing.

— Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
In a 3-0 battering of Scotland, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeased the people of Miami with a Neymar cameo.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 25 June 2026