pacify

American  

[pas-uh-fahy] / ˈpæs əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

pacified, pacifying

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.

   Synonyms:

   assuage, mollify, soothe

   Antonyms:

   enrage, anger

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

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pacify British  

/ ˈpæsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to calm the anger or agitation of; mollify

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonpacifiable adjective
• pacifiable adjective
• pacifyingly adverb
• repacify verb (used with object)
• unpacifiable adjective
• unpacified adjective

Etymology

Origin of pacify

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

Example Sentences

She wonders if her mother is being “engaged” or merely “pacified” by her companion.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The myth of Batman is dangerous, especially for Harfuch. Making him a myth imposes on him the responsibility of pacifying the country. But, as we all know, Omar can’t defeat organized crime by himself.”

From Los Angeles Times

"They didn't like it and that's going to be our goal, to pacify the crowd."

From BBC

I don't think we should expect to pacify the crowd, that might not be possible.

From BBC

There’s a mercenary quality to the more ostentatious looks; they please crowds or pacify them for long enough to compel closer listening to the intricacies of her music.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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