as in conciliatory
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
sent his girlfriend flowers as a propitiatory gesture for a date gone sour
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propitiatory
Adjective
-
The district’s public message has been conciliatory.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026 -
Meanwhile, the wealthy monarchy of Qatar, which sits on some of the world’s biggest natural gas reserves and maintains a vast and fragile infrastructure to extract it, has taken a much more conciliatory position, calling for immediate de-escalation and a quick return to business.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Walt had long described himself as a benevolent father to his workers, and the strike seemed an act of personal betrayal and disloyalty verging on patricide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The common bonds that held the fabric of society together have been torn to shreds and sewn together into robes that adorn the would-be benevolent dictators of culture who explain everything, apologize for nothing and lend their credibility to anyone willing to pay their fee.—
Bruce Stockler,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Spray dry toilet paper with cleansing, soothing and refreshing Pristine to create an instant wet wipe that is actually flushable and safe for your sewer and septic systems.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Season 3 is not totally devoid of supporters and kind superlatives, particularly for the cinematography and Zendaya’s reliably impressive chops.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Certain low-grade forms of depression can be easy to embrace, as familiar and comforting as an old friend.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
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The biscuit topping makes this chicken pot pie extra comforting and satisfying.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Freedom of peaceful navigation is a basic principle of international maritime trade, but Iran has asserted control of the strait.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
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Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Propitiatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propitiatory. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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