appease

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 For many Zimbabweans, though, the question of compensating white farmers goes beyond appeasing the international community. Ish Mafundikwa, Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2025 Their admirably robust menu indulges coastal cravings via seasonal oysters and Gulf shrimp while appeasing land lovers with steakhouse favorites and handmade pastas. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 May 2025 While moving iPhone production to the United States may not be possible, Apple did announce a $500 billion investment to expand its US facilities earlier this year, in an apparent effort to appease Trump. David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 It was changed at the final hour to move up the start date for work requirements from 2029 to 2026 to appease hard-liners who threatened to withhold their votes and imperil the bill’s passage. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for appease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease
Verb
  • No milk, no eggs, no snacks to placate hungry kids.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • For more than a generation, Iowa’s administration has resisted calls to move the students from behind the south basket in order to placate long-time ticketholders.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The bright colors and cute animal faces are welcoming and will make your little one feel comforted when they’re still getting used to the potty.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 June 2025
  • This can involve placing your hand on your chest, cheek or belly to offer gentle, comforting contact.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • In addition to yoga, guests can immerse themselves in floating sound baths, a tranquil, multisensory experience that combines gentle sound therapy with the soothing sensation of water for deep relaxation.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The color expert points out the hue's soothing nature and refreshing vibe that turn an ordinary bathroom into a personal retreat.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Politics is a service business and Trump and his Capitol Hill allies are aiming to please the customer.
    David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025
  • Any shift on the key issues could topple the high-wire act needed to please House and Senate Republicans.
    Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Her feeds from Paris Fashion Week 2016 are a representative sample—a pacifying stream of cream and white, diamonds and lace, outsize wealth made as banal as breakfast.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
  • If Chong is an excessive groomer, he might be stressed out and grooming to pacify himself.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
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
Verb
  • To mollify Angelos — who had threatened litigation over another club entering the market — MLB gave the Orioles a large ownership stake in the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which has been shared by the two teams, and a proportionately larger share of the profits.
    Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
  • Customers who tried to hold T-Mobile to the lifetime price promise were not mollified by that carveout, given that it was published on an entirely separate page and not part of the price-lock announcement.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Studies show that spending time in natural settings can lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and help to calm the mind.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Police cars occasionally circled the intersection and a few stragglers still waved signs or lingered in small groups, but the earlier surge had largely calmed.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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