pacifies

Main Entry:: pac·i·fy
Pronunciation:: \ˈpa-sə-ˌfī\
Function:: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s):: pac·i·fied; pac·i·fy·ing
Etymology:: Middle English pacifien, from Anglo-French pacifier, from Latin pacificare, from pac-, pax peace
Date:: 15th century

1 a: to allay the anger or agitation of : soothe <pacify a crying child> b: appease , propitiate2 a: to restore to a tranquil state : settle <made an attempt to pacify the commotion> b: to reduce to a submissive state : subdue <forces moved in to pacify the country>

— pac·i·fi·able

\ˌpa-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl\ adjective

synonyms pacify , appease , placate , mollify , propitiate , conciliate mean to ease the anger or disturbance of. pacify suggests a soothing or calming <pacified by a sincere apology>. appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions <appease their territorial ambitions>. placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill <a move to placate local opposition>. mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger <a speech that mollified the demonstrators>. propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being <propitiated his parents by dressing up>. conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences <conciliating the belligerent nations>.

Learn more about "pacify" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "pacify" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols