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
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
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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Then imagine a Congress seated in January 2027 with even more lawmakers guaranteed reelection and concerned mainly with appeasing their party’s activist base.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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Nevertheless, Ed still idolized Augusta and would grow to become obsessed with appeasing her, according to Biography.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Turning to Hjulmand as his replacement seemed almost a conciliatory gesture.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Trump is famously mercurial, while Petro could become more conciliatory.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For an accent, consider introducing a deep blue shade to provide a soothing contrast.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
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The soothing, antioxidant-rich formula offers enough coverage that it can be used in lieu of a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And while All’s Fair could have won us over to its cause had the cases been more benevolent or moral, the women’s work so far similarly lacks depth.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
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America appears to be, at the moment, in a sort of benevolent hostage situation.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
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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On campus, Christopher Benton, 48, was arrested and later booked into Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail for refusing to leave after being asked to do so by police, obstruction and coming on to campus with the intent of interfering with peaceful activities, Mogulof said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
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But, in a year that has already seen multiple political assassinations, the deployment of the National Guard to American cities, and masked agents of the federal government hauling people off the streets and into unmarked vans, the prospects for a peaceful anniversary appear remote.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The week wraps with the Virgo Moon taking over from November 13 to 15, bringing a calming wave of discernment; not the perfectionist kind, but the cleansing, clarifying kind.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
9 Nov. 2025
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They’re weighted, with the small size weighing 3 pounds, providing a calming effect that can ease anxiety and lull you to sleep, according to shoppers.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Placating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placating. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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