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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025
Cora seemed placated by his response, and the two agreed to meet in two days to head up to Berkeley.
—Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to endorse Trump’s musings about Gaza, and Panama chose to placate the American president by accepting deportation flights of non-Panamanians and signing an agreement allowing the United States to deploy military personnel along the Panama Canal.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Defense & National Security The Big Story The NATO Secretary General on Thursday said the U.S. and its European allies have agreed that Russia is a long-term threat, even as Washington has seemed to placate Moscow.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placate
Verb
Several bought in immediately, excited for the opportunity to placate their own smartphone-eager kids.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025
Cora seemed placated by his response, and the two agreed to meet in two days to head up to Berkeley.
—Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to endorse Trump’s musings about Gaza, and Panama chose to placate the American president by accepting deportation flights of non-Panamanians and signing an agreement allowing the United States to deploy military personnel along the Panama Canal.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Defense & National Security The Big Story The NATO Secretary General on Thursday said the U.S. and its European allies have agreed that Russia is a long-term threat, even as Washington has seemed to placate Moscow.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placate
Adjective
-
Now Germany, previously conciliatory, is ready to back France’s more hawkish position and hit back with retaliatory tariffs on the US if no deal is agreed.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
21 July 2025
-
Normally a conciliatory individual, Jesse’s diplomacy was tested by an opponent’s racist remark.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lavender’s movement in the breeze and soothing scent add more sensory layers to the space.—
Lauren Dunec Hoang,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 July 2025
-
This nursery is soothing and peaceful, yet offers plenty of room to create, imagine, and explore through play.—
Nina Derwin,
Architectural Digest,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Good starters are made up of the unique mix of benevolent dictator (someone has got to keep things moving), a maestro (there are a million different things at play; the starter gets them all to hopefully harmonize) and friend.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
-
The act was sealed in a pronouncement by Princess Isabel, who became a President Lincoln-like figure in Brazil, known to many as the benevolent white liberator of the enslaved.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Xi must know that old societies tend to be pacific and that China is getting old fast.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Their awards show is today, Saturday, at 12 noon pacific time.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the course of two seasons, the writing of the show and the actress performing the role turned the Grim Reaper into more of a caregiver who guides human souls to the beyond with a kind smile and empathic warmth.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
-
But Lana was her own person: an actor, a comedian, beloved by her family and friends, a kind, talented woman who volunteered weekly for the AIDS charity Project Angel Food during the 80s, a time when many people would barely say the word AIDS aloud.—
Meg Pillow
July 31,
Literary Hub,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
The space can be used as a peaceful private office, a crafting studio, or a gardening space replete with a potting bench.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
And the happier, peaceful times far outweigh the difficult ones.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Placate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placate. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share