placate

¹ American  

[pley-keyt, plak-eyt] / ˈpleɪ keɪt, ˈplæk eɪt /

verb (used with object)

placated, placating

1. to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures.

   to placate an outraged citizenry.

   Synonyms:

   satisfy, conciliate

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placate ² American  

[plak-eyt, -it] / ˈplæk eɪt, -ɪt /

Also placcate,

noun

Armor.

1. a piece of plate armor of the 15th to the 18th century protecting the lower part of the torso in front: used especially as a reinforcement over a breastplate.

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placate British  

/ pləˈkeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to pacify or appease

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Other Word Forms

• placater noun
• placation noun
• unplacated adjective

Etymology

Origin of placate¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin plācātus, past participle of plācāre “to quiet, calm, appease,” akin to placēre “to please”; please

Origin of placate¹

First recorded in 1625–35; apparently variant of placard

Example Sentences

Which is to say, by becoming more understanding of our oppressor’s need to be placated.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an apparent attempt to placate Burundi's fears, the M23 said it had "no sights beyond our national borders".

From BBC

Some preferred to mix repression with cosmetic reforms that might placate the protesters.

From The Wall Street Journal

As you might expect, the Grand Highlander’s cabin aims to please, pamper and placate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Musk’s latest comments are unlikely to placate regulators.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• appease
• assuage
• mollify
• pacify
• reconcile
• satisfy
• soothe