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pacify

[ pas-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈpæs əˌfaɪ /
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See synonyms for: pacify / pacified / pacifies on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing.
to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquility; quiet; calm: to pacify an irate customer.
to appease: to pacify one's appetite.
to reduce to a state of submission, especially by military force; subdue.
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Origin of pacify

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 FROM pacify

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to pacify

allay, ameliorate, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate, quell, repress, smooth over, soothe, tame, calm, chasten, compose, con, conciliate, cool, dulcify, grease, lull

How to use pacify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pacify

pacify
/ (ˈpæsɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
to calm the anger or agitation of; mollify
to restore to peace or order, esp by the threat or use of force

Derived forms of pacify

pacifiable, adjective

Word Origin for pacify

C15: from Old French pacifier; see pacific
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
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