APPEASE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'appease' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate , mollify , pacify , placate , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: Where would 'conciliate' be a reasonable alternative to 'appease'?

The meanings of conciliate and appease largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

Q: When can 'mollify' be used instead of 'appease'?

The synonyms mollify and appease are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger. // a speech that mollified the demonstrators

Q: When is 'pacify' a more appropriate choice than 'appease'?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: When might 'placate' be a better fit than 'appease'?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease , placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

Q: When would 'propitiate' be a good substitute for 'appease'?

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being. // propitiated his parents by dressing up

appease

verb

ə-ˈpēz

Definition of appease next

as in to placate

to lessen the anger or agitation of a game often appeases an upset toddler

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How does the verb appease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

Where would conciliate be a reasonable alternative to appease?

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

conciliating the belligerent nations

When can mollify be used instead of appease?

The synonyms mollify and appease are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is pacify a more appropriate choice than appease?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When might placate be a better fit than appease?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When would propitiate be a good substitute for appease?

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

Examples of appease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The deal also gives other potential bidders for Paramount 45 days to submit a competing offer, an apparent effort to appease shareholders who felt Skydance's initial bid undervalued their stake in the media company. —

Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 July 2024 Campbell, who was from Alabama, was selected by Pierce in an effort to appease the Southern states, who were afraid that the court would lean toward abolition of slavery. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 July 2024 Numerous esteemed academics from a wide array of disciplines in American universities have pointed out that the first truth is the failure of endless negotiations, partial sanctions, and attempts to appease Tehran’s regime. —

Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2024 Some of these rituals still go on today in places like the hills of Chiapas in southern Mexico, where both gods and ancestors are appeased when they are thought to be upset. —

Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for appease

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 25 Aug. 2024.

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Last Updated: 24 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of appease

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