pacify

verb pac·i·fy \ˈpa-sə-ˌfī\

: to cause (someone who is angry or upset) to become calm or quiet

: to cause or force (a country, a violent group of people, etc.) to become peaceful

pac·i·fiedpac·i·fy·ing

Full Definition of PACIFY

transitive verb

a : to allay the anger or agitation of : soothe <pacify a crying child>

b : appease, propitiate

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

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Origin of PACIFY

Middle English pacifien, from Anglo-French pacifier, from Latin pacificare, from pac-, pax peace

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PACIFY

Synonyms: appease, assuage, conciliate, disarm, gentle, mollify, placate, propitiate

Antonyms: anger, enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, ire, madden, outrage

Synonym Discussion of PACIFY

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>.

PACIFY Defined for Kids