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View synonyms for pacify

pacify

[ pas-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing.
  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.


pacify

/ 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
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈpaciˌfiable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • pac·i·fi·a·ble adjective
  • pac·i·fy·ing·ly adverb
  • non·pac·i·fi·a·ble adjective
  • re·pac·i·fy verb (used with object) repacified repacifying
  • un·pac·i·fi·a·ble adjective
  • un·pac·i·fied adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pacify1

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

Origin of pacify1

C15: from Old French pacifier; see pacific
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Example Sentences

For Trump’s critics, his selections make it clear that his disavowal of the conservative playbook was nothing more than a campaign ploy to pacify voters who viewed the plan as too far to the right.

But the slaying of Arcos, who had vowed to pacify the region, was particularly grisly.

This is a man who has pacified a team who seemed to be at war with itself once.

From BBC

“I have faith that very soon all this region is going to be pacified and brotherhood and concord will return,” he said during a recent visit to La Concordia to inaugurate a new bridge.

We are easier to marginalize and to pacify if we fold ourselves into such tiny boxes.

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