as in appeasing
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
a placating comment that seemed to calm everyone down a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in comforting
to lessen the anger or agitation of
attempted to placate the screaming child by offering him a cookie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of placating
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
In 2018, Masahiro Sakurai made the biggest Smash yet, as the title suggests, taking years of post-release development and placating a fanbase that had hulking expectations, ending up with the third best selling game on Nintendo Switch.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
The nominee will face a high-wire act of placating the president (who wants steep interest rate cuts) while keeping the trust of investors worried about high inflation and political influence on the central bank.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
This replaces placating with directly communicating out of respect for your longstanding relationship.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 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
Fans can credit Schneider's handling of the situation for placating any potential hard feelings as the team removes a standout starter from the rotation to make room for Bieber.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Since 2013, the Teatro Real has been led by the Catalan impresario Joan Matabosch, who has a flair for balancing progressive ideas against conservative tastes while placating political overseers.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
In 2018, Masahiro Sakurai made the biggest Smash yet, as the title suggests, taking years of post-release development and placating a fanbase that had hulking expectations, ending up with the third best selling game on Nintendo Switch.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
The nominee will face a high-wire act of placating the president (who wants steep interest rate cuts) while keeping the trust of investors worried about high inflation and political influence on the central bank.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
This replaces placating with directly communicating out of respect for your longstanding relationship.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 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
Fans can credit Schneider's handling of the situation for placating any potential hard feelings as the team removes a standout starter from the rotation to make room for Bieber.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placating
Verb
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Parents are questioning whether four years and six figures are worth it, especially as campuses are increasingly overtaken by chaos, radical activism, and administrators more concerned with appeasing ideological mobs than educating students.—
Riley Gaines OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
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And yet, beneath the veil of politeness, there was rhetoric from the US president that suggests his default position in negotiations is still to pressure Kyiv, while appeasing Moscow.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has struck a more conciliatory tone, urging dialogue and promising economic reforms in bid to placate demonstrators demanding political change, action on corruption and relief from rising living costs.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2026
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Opponents found a conciliatory tone, mostly concerned with vague details Neighbors offered about security, screening and how residents will use the associated auto shop on site.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These are the bad bathroom layouts keeping your space from feeling like a sanctuary, and designers are sharing how to switch things up for a much more soothing space.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
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Warm, soothing, and comforting – chicken soup is really good for the soul.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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When winter settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s something especially comforting about slowing down and staying close to home.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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This is a comforting meal that is anything but bland.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Sandy Rabins, who led AnimAID efforts to help those in the animation industry affected by the 2025 LA wildfires, will receive the June Foray Award for benevolent impact to the animation community.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
5 Jan. 2026
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Not like a drunk way but like a benevolent alien who couldn’t believe that this planet had donuts.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Courtesy: Apple Apple on Tuesday sent invites to the media and analysts for a launch event at its campus on September 9 at 10 A.M pacific time.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
26 Aug. 2025
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My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the pacific campaign.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The mayor called on the community to remain peaceful in the aftermath.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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But once inside, as the crackling fire quickly warms you up, there’s no better feeling after hours on the trail than dropping your backpack on the floor, taking off your boots and settling in for a few days of peaceful escape.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Ten years of development went into the technology in the footbed, which is intended to be worn pre- or post-game, with pressure points scientifically proven to have a calming and focusing effect on the mind.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Cozymaxxing aims to address all five senses, turning down the dial on all five to create a calming, serene atmosphere.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Placating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placating. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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