placate

¹

[pley-keyt, plak-eyt]

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

placate

²

Also placcate,

[plak-eyt, -it]

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.

placate

/ pləˈkeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to pacify or appease

Other Word Forms

• placater noun
• placation noun
• unplacated adjective

Word History and Origins

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 placate²

First recorded in 1625–35; apparently variant of placard

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

C17: from Latin plācāre; see _placable

Example Sentences

On Monday, in response, he sacked his government but that did not placate the protesters.

From BBC

The uprising in Nepal led to the prime minister resigning, while Madagascar's president dissolved his government on Monday in an attempt to placate the protesters there.

From BBC

The UK government "has failed innocent victims to prioritise placating Dublin", the MP added.

From BBC

"Can he placate the protesters and bring an end to rolling demonstrations, while not resorting to excessive state violence or repression? This is the question."

From BBC

“Kingsbarn openly admitted … that Balelo had demanded the terminations and that they were being done solely to placate him,” the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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