appease

verb

ə-ˈpēz How to pronounce appease (audio)
Definition of appeasenext
as in to placate
to lessen the anger or agitation of a game often appeases an upset toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb appease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

Where would conciliate be a reasonable alternative to appease?

The meanings of conciliate and appease largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When can mollify be used instead of appease?

The synonyms mollify and appease are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is pacify a more appropriate choice than appease?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When might placate be a better fit than appease?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When would propitiate be a good substitute for appease?

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

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 appease And many brands and stores are appeasing consumer preference for cotton products to carry them through the fall and winter months. —Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 5 Sep. 2025 The Teaberry colorway our editors tested is an oh-so-pretty online exclusive and will appease any tastemaker who also prioritizes snugness. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025 You were never asked to take anything out in order to appease anyone? —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 Lamb’s seven catches for 110 yards look good, and will appease some fantasy football owners. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease
  1. placate
  2. comfort
  3. soothe
  4. please
  5. pacify
  6. propitiate
  7. mollify
  8. calm
Verb
  • On Wednesday, Qatar's government did not appear to be placated.
    — Mariam Khan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The 49ers were able to reach an agreement with Jennings to placate him for 2025, but he is still slated to hit free agency next offseason.
    — Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of placate
Verb
  • As their retreat drew to a close, the Singsons felt a much deeper connection to their mountainous surroundings; to their group, who affirmed and comforted one another by opening up about their own relationship peaks and valleys; and to each other.
    — Esme Benjamin, AFAR Media, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Charlie Kirk’s family needs to be comforted.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of comfort
Verb
  • The positive experience of being soothed, whether through calming words, laughter or playful connection, encourages a preference for partners who are attuned and responsive.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • But one way to distract and soothe your temperamental toddler might be through music.
    — Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of soothe
Verb
  • Motivated largely by his desire to please his dead father, who bullied him into believing that toughness is the essence of manhood, Cade insists on pushing past his injury and pursuing his dream.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Golden retrievers, while intelligent and eager to please, are more commonly found retrieving game, assisting as service animals, or acting as family companions.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of please
Verb
  • That transformed the industry by giving it a clear American base — and by pacifying agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission that had been, under Biden, openly hostile.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Rather than unifying and pacifying a populace, this kind of media encouraged idiosyncratic, extreme views.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of pacify
Verb
  • 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
  • Since 1979, the United States has sought to contain or propitiate the regime in Tehran.
    — Danielle Pletka, National Review, 6 Nov. 2023
Definition of propitiate
Verb
  • Live records could also be a way of fulfilling a contractual obligation (too many examples to cite) or a way to mollify fans who were going to have to wait a while for another studio record (Fleetwood Mac’s 1980’s concert record, which bridged the gap between Tusk and Mirage).
    — David Browne, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
  • To help mollify the community, Activision announced that all the guns and Operator skins from MWII would carry over to MWIII.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of mollify
Verb
  • Transitioning from player to coach has been an eye-opening adjustment for Boone, who spent many nights calming down his brother Aaron whenever the Yankees experienced tough times.
    — Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • There's tools to calm yourself down.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of calm

Browse Nearby Words

appeasable
appease
appeased
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Cite this Entry

“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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