had been pacifying

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of pacify.
  pacify

  verb (used with object)

  to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquility; quiet; calm.

Related Words

• allay
• ameliorate
• assuage
• mitigate
• mollify
• placate
• quell
• repress
• smooth over
• soothe
• tame