pacify

[ pas-uh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: pacifypacifiedpacifies on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing.
  1. to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquility; quiet; calm: to pacify an irate customer.

  2. to appease: to pacify one's appetite.

  1. to reduce to a state of submission, especially by military force; subdue.

Origin of pacify

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Old French pacef(i)ier, pacifier, from Latin pācificāre “to make peace”; see pacific, -fy

Other words for pacify

Opposites for pacify

Other words from pacify

  • pac·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • pac·i·fy·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·pac·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • re·pac·i·fy, verb (used with object), re·pac·i·fied, re·pac·i·fy·ing.
  • un·pac·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • un·pac·i·fied, adjective

Words Nearby pacify

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use pacify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pacify

pacify

/ (ˈpæsɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
  1. to calm the anger or agitation of; mollify

  2. to restore to peace or order, esp by the threat or use of force

Origin of pacify

1
C15: from Old French pacifier; see pacific

Derived forms of pacify

  • pacifiable, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012