1
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a pacifying treat of milk and cookies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appeasing
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
the referee adopted a pacifying tone to try to calm everyone down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in comforting
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in subduing
to bring under one's control by force of arms
additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifying
Verb
-
Nicholas has since let go of the fear of appeasing the beauty standards of others.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
1 Apr. 2025 -
Knee-jerk reactions aimed at appeasing stakeholders can backfire, raising questions about whether initiatives are genuine or simply for show.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
She was dressed in a conservative suit and low heels and in her soothing but authoritative voice reminded me of a flight attendant delivering in-flight instructions.—
Lisa Pratta
June 12,
Literary Hub,
12 June 2025
-
There’s nothing more soothing… or surprisingly loud.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Democratic leaders have come under criticism from within, some for pushing the party too far left, and others for appearing too conciliatory toward Trump, and a number who have felt disillusioned with its agenda have left the party entirely to either identify as independent or as a Republican.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
In contrast, Lee hails from a political party that has historically taken a more conciliatory approach to South Korea’s autocratic neighbor.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Is there not a single executive somewhere at Netflix to greenlight a fresh retelling of the core Hanukkah story of pride, miracles, and determined guerilla warfare against a conquering despot?—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Then English speakers began conquering Celtic, Native American, African, Australian and other peoples, pressuring or forcing them to give up their languages.—
Ross Perlin,
The Dial,
14 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Outside cash is dominating the special election for a new county supervisor in the South Bay.—
Andrew Keatts,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Vancouver, meanwhile, fell short against the New York Rangers, despite thoroughly dominating play and out-chancing the struggling Rangers by a brutally lopsided margin.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Iran says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful purposes.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
14 June 2025
-
The White House on Thursday, however, said Trump supports peaceful protesters.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
This will be both disarming and believable, allowing your daughter to propose times that are both far off and inconvenient.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
15 Dec. 2022
-
What follows instead is a pivotal listen that conveys trauma in an assured yet disarming way.—
Leah Greenblatt,
EW.com,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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One benevolent man took out his phone and pulled up the CBS app to stream the show on the smallest of screen as tens of people watched over his shoulder.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
9 June 2025
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We Christians are sometimes tempted to consider the commitment to love our neighbor in sentimental ways, as a warm feeling in the heart, but nothing more binding than benevolent feelings toward another.—
Rick Fry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pacifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifying. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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