as in to placate
to lessen the anger or agitation of
a game often appeases an upset toddler
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Recent Examples of appease
In 2020, a Black Lives Matter mob had set fire to the condominium complex of Wilson’s predecessor, former Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, despite his attempts to appease the movement’s demands.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Democrats are much more likely, at 78 percent, to believe the Supreme Court is trying to appease the president, though 34 percent of Republicans and 59 percent of independents said the same thing.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
The Legislature is eagerly pursuing the approval of bills (SB 706 and HB 919) to take away local governments’ ability to name their own airports to appease their Lord and Master.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Enacting government reforms like congressional term limits, banning stock trading and overturning citizens united would make congress members more accountable to the people and less likely to play partisan games to appease special interest groups.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appease
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Democrats are much more likely, at 78 percent, to believe the Supreme Court is trying to appease the president, though 34 percent of Republicans and 59 percent of independents said the same thing.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
The Legislature is eagerly pursuing the approval of bills (SB 706 and HB 919) to take away local governments’ ability to name their own airports to appease their Lord and Master.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Enacting government reforms like congressional term limits, banning stock trading and overturning citizens united would make congress members more accountable to the people and less likely to play partisan games to appease special interest groups.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease
Verb
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In 2019, the former Hezbollah operative said, the Russians and the Iranians began pushing him to make mostly symbolic reforms that would placate Western countries and ease the burden of Syria’s economic isolation.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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But that hasn’t placated Johnson critics who are looking to capitalize on openings to check the mayor’s budget team.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Traditional yatai, or street food stalls, are another easy way to eat well on a budget, offering comforting classics like yakitori, ramen, tempura, and gyoza.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
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Everyone is comforted, celebrated, and fed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the illuminating Sun in your 4th House of Home sextiles tender Chiron in your 6th House of Work, practical adjustments may also have the benefit of soothing agitated feelings.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Mentally, there's something soothing about the fact that the hotel itself is shrouded in foliage.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And no matter how formal or casual the gathering, every host is always looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer to start the party.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
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YouTubers try to make videos that please the YouTube algorithm.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Leo has acknowledged the tensions and sought to pacify the debate, expressing an openness to dialogue and allowing exceptions to Francis’ crackdown.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Now the Red Sox must pivot and find a way to pacify a livid fan base less than one month before spring training begins.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rulers on the Nile did not rely solely on their own human powers but worshipped and propitiated a natural world that was alive with gods.—
Vanessa Taylor,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
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The credulous faith that these superpowers will voluntarily settle for some form of peaceful coexistence, if only they are sufficiently propitiated with concessions, is naive and dangerous.—
Michael Miklaucic,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Other communities have attempted to mollify residents' concerns by seeking other options.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
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Perhaps the Scandinavians and the BBC cannot be expected to remain immune to the urge to mollify the free world’s new mad emperor.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Milele Coggs, whose district includes most of King Drive, but the northern portion of the street has fewer traffic calming measures in place, creating a higher risk for pedestrians.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Merrillville officials hope a letter denying the existence of a Department of Homeland Security contract on a warehouse in town will calm residents’ nerves about a theoretical immigrant detention center.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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