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 But that hasn’t placated Johnson critics who are looking to capitalize on openings to check the mayor’s budget team. —

Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026 Senior figures had to placate Emery’s wishes to rewire the squad, pressing ahead with the twin ambitions for this season of qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Europa League. —

Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Perhaps the youngest Bridgertons would be able to avoid food fights if placated with the Duke's iPad? —

Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026 Surely, more could have been done to placate him. —

Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for placate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for placate

appease

Verb

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
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