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Synonyms

pacifier

American  
[pas-uh-fahy-er] / ˈpæs əˌfaɪ ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that pacifies.

  2. a rubber or plastic device, often shaped into a nipple, for a baby to suck or bite on.


pacifier British  
/ ˈpæsɪˌfaɪə /

noun

  1. a person or thing that pacifies

  2. a baby's dummy or teething ring

"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

Etymology

Origin of pacifier

First recorded in 1525–35; pacify + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Was just reading today that newborns will suck on a pacifier more vigorously if it triggers playback of a recording of her/his mother’s voice than another woman’s voice,” Tramo wrote to Epstein.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

A modified pacifier and AI algorithms to analyze the data it produces could determine if newborns are learning the proper mechanics of nursing, a recent study shows.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024

About a third of the kiddos in most classes at the two Seattle area high schools where I teach have just checked out and use them as a pacifier.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

She called herself a "human pacifier" and reluctantly started co-sleeping before realizing she needed to make changes before going back to work.

From Salon • May 12, 2023

Hearing Ma weeping and Pop wheezing, cracking his knuckles while Leda sucks her pacifier double-time and Ray holds my hand.

From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes