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

That sleeping on it would help pacify everyone’s big feelings about whatever it was that happened tonight.

From Literature

“What catches on is completely unpredictable, there’s almost a mysterious alchemy to it. What’s clear is this: The regime hasn’t pacified them.”

From The Wall Street Journal

If the Fed is otherwise confident in its bank-liquidity regulations, there’s no obvious reason pacifying the overnight lending market should be a policy concern.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s impossible to say that the country is being pacified,” said Vargas, who said authorities should consider data from a range of what he called “lethal crimes” to accurately measure violence.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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