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

• placation noun
• placater 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

Last week, Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, a civilian, and his entire cabinet in an attempt to placate the protesters.

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

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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.

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

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"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."

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Related Words

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