as in conciliatory
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
a future son-in-law using mollifying flattery to overcome a bad first impression
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appeasing
to lessen the anger or agitation of
an apology would probably mollify your friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviating
to make more bearable or less severe
a friendly gesture that did a lot to mollify their suspicions about the new neighbor
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 mollifying
David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
By many accounts retailers were pleased with their level of business Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, mollifying some concerns that higher prices and economic uncertainties would put a big dent in holiday spending.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollifying
Adjective
-
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
-
Criticized by conservatives at home for his conciliatory tone, the reformist politician has also been sidelined by Iran’s adversaries.—
Roxane Razavi,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
-
But then appeasing tradition and upending it both at once, which certainly is the pragmatic philosophy of Lyric, always is a tricky matter.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The move allowed the Senate to effectively end the shutdown and leave town for its preplanned recess, while also alleviating the long waits at airports throughout the country ahead of a time of heavy travel in early April for Easter and Passover.—
Justin Papp,Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
-
There are no quick fixes to alleviating the state’s housing woes.—
Jeff Montejano,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The formula includes soothing hydrators such as glycerin, dimethicone, and glyceryl behenate, plus antioxidants (vitamin E and C derivatives) to help calm and protect the skin.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If a health problem is completely random and isolated, meaning the rest of the family is free from risk, the news can be relieving, if complicated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Many agree that relieving economic distress must be an immediate focus, but while some believe that should entail a gradual, socialist-style liberalization of the economy, others want a total transition to free-market capitalism, including more foreign investment and private enterprise.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While none of this amounts to conscious communication, the hidden network allows plants to share resources and information, helping forests survive as interconnected communities.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Vastnaut One assists these climbs by distributing force through both the hips and knees, helping propel the body upward more efficiently.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But there was no sign Iran was easing its closure of the strait crucial to global oil supplies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Still, markets largely rallied over the past week on hopes that the war could end soon, easing supply pressure on global oil markets.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mollifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollifying. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
