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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pacify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pacify are appease, conciliate, mollify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

Where would appease be a reasonable alternative to pacify?

The words appease and pacify can be used in similar contexts, but appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

When is conciliate a more appropriate choice than pacify?

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

conciliating the belligerent nations

When could mollify be used to replace pacify?

The words mollify and pacify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When might placate be a better fit than pacify?

In some situations, the words placate and pacify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When is it sensible to use propitiate instead of pacify?

Although the words propitiate and pacify have much in common, 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 pacify Although the frustration of supporters is shared internally, there is no sense of panic — which is unlikely to pacify fans understandably impatient for additions following three successive windows without a first-XI signing. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 July 2025 In the United States, those advocates on the center left and center right share the view that a militarily powerful United States, with a large network of alliances, provides essential, pacifying leadership in global politics. Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 And, if that process proved tortuous and violent, what role could the U.S. have in trying to pacify a nation of almost 90 million people? Niall Stanage, The Hill, 18 June 2025 Sheinbaum’s government claims these tactics are already pacifying the country, with homicides officially down almost 25 percent since September. Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
  • Moreover, some legal experts have said that the release of the grand jury testimony may be a misdirect to appease the public and distract from the other evidence in the case.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • In trying to appease both sides, the government of Italy imposed a five-euro (almost $6) tax last year to tourists traveling into the city in an attempt to mitigate tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Emily Steinberger, Fortune, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Along with other bystanders, Perry helped subdue the perpetrator, whom officials identified as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 July 2025
  • The stabbing rampage that took place Saturday, July 26, left 11 people injured before onlookers, one of them apparently armed with a handgun, subdued the suspect in the parking lot outside the store just before police arrived, police said.
    Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • What a confusing year for these Fever, from Clark’s three different soft tissue injuries to DeWanna Bonner’s troubled stint to … dominating the Commissioner’s Cup final, against the Minnesota Lynx no less?
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • While banks dominate credit provision in Asia far more than in Western markets — accounting for about 79% of lending compared with 54% in Europe and just 33% in the U.S., according to investment firm KKR — that dynamic is shifting.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The Fantastic Four: First Steps is conquering around $23 million in previews tonight that began at 2 p.m..
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 July 2025
  • Advocates can postulate that, absent the resolve of the United States to fight in Vietnam, even in a losing cause, the Soviet Union and China would have been emboldened to invade and conquer America, Western Europe and Japan, writing an epitaph for freedom.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The panel had previously considered a version that would have subjected all housing developments to this appeals board.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
  • Two things can be true: Doctors are responsible for keeping mom and baby safe during a C-section and also for not subjecting any patient to avoidable torment.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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