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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Newsom seems to have recognized that appeasing California’s Democrats puts him out of step with the country.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Yet, as uproar over the shooting grew, videos of the incident spread and the administration's narrative unraveled, the White House changed course and adopted a more conciliatory approach.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
30 Jan. 2026
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At his press conference to preview Saturday’s game against West Ham, Nuno struck a more conciliatory tone.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
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Being loved does not always feel soothing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The couple's daughter recalled a warm and comforting childhood.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Some of the behaviors most strongly associated with deep, durable love don’t feel comforting in the moment at all.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
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Trump should ask himself whether stirring a hornet’s nest serves any purpose other than pointlessly alienating a benevolent neighbor that is beginning to pad its insurance policy by reaching out to non-hemispheric powers.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
27 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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Amid persisting violence from criminal groups in a country long considered a peaceful tourist hub, polling reveals that Costa Ricans are most concerned about security this year.—
Djenane Villanueva,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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After a peaceful march to the Georgia State Capitol that swelled into the hundreds, protestors returned to the area around the Centennial Olympic Park and CNN Center, where some confronted police, who sprayed some demonstrators with pepper spray.—
Ernie Suggs,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Matcha provides a more calming energy than coffee due to its L-theanine content.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
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Make Minimalism Your Own For some people, blank white walls are a calming and relaxing sight.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Placating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placating. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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