1
as in to appease
to lessen the anger or agitation of
the only thing that would pacify the child and end the tantrum was a new toy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacify
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
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
In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a revolution, which Iran had helped bloodily pacify, finally achieved its goal.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Unfree people can sometimes be more easily pacified if their incomes are rising and opportunities for their children are expanding.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a revolution, which Iran had helped bloodily pacify, finally achieved its goal.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Unfree people can sometimes be more easily pacified if their incomes are rising and opportunities for their children are expanding.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
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In legal filings, Kalshi has argued that it's already regulated by the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission and that having to operate in 50 different ways to appease 50 different states isn't possible.—
Todd Bookman,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cyrene then instructs her son to appease the nymphs, Eurydice’s companions, and to make funeral offerings to Eurydice’s husband Orpheus.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Betts subdued the momentum with a block on Booker’s layup attempt with 20 seconds left, and Rice then made two free throws, sending Close’s crew into the title game.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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There, the pioneers—practical, inventive, restless, exuberant white men—clashed with Indigenous peoples, subduing them and a wilderness filled with wild animals and abundant natural resources.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While there’s little need to leave for dining, with the three on-site options easily dominating a weekend stay, nearby venues like Locanda Verde and Cafe Atelier could easily sub for the room service and free in-room Nespresso machines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Posing in a new campaign for Miu Miu's 2026 leather goods, Hadid complemented her playful new pixie with bright, block colors that also echoed the primary hues that dominated 1960s fashion and film.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Japanese conquered the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island.—
Gil Troy,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Alienation doesn’t only spur people to conquer the system that alienated them.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will subject nearly 55,000 Vermont Medicaid recipients to work requirements – about a third of the state's enrollees.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Is such an existential shriek into the abyss, all while living in a society suffused by mind-numbing grief and nationalism, worth subjecting yourself to?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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