PLACATE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'placate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of placate are appease , conciliate , mollify , pacify , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

Q: When can 'appease' be used instead of 'placate'?

The words appease and placate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: In what contexts can 'conciliate' take the place of 'placate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to placate , conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

Q: When is 'mollify' a more appropriate choice than 'placate'?

The synonyms mollify and placate are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger. // a speech that mollified the demonstrators

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pacify' instead of 'placate'?

Although the words pacify and placate have much in common, pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: When would 'propitiate' be a good substitute for 'placate'?

The meanings of propitiate and placate largely overlap; however, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being. // propitiated his parents by dressing up

placate

verb

ˈplā-ˌkāt

Definition of placate

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of attempted to placate the screaming child by offering him a cookie

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How does the verb placate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of placate are appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When can appease be used instead of placate?

The words appease and placate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

In what contexts can conciliate take the place of placate?

While in some cases nearly identical to placate, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When is mollify a more appropriate choice than placate?

The synonyms mollify and placate are sometimes interchangeable, but mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is it sensible to use pacify instead of placate?

Although the words pacify and placate have much in common, pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When would propitiate be a good substitute for placate?

The meanings of propitiate and placate largely overlap; however, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of placate Still, the changes have yet to placate residents who say their chief concern is the amount of traffic that will be generated by people driving to park once it is opened. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026 The note is there when Sugar gets back, placating his suspicions (for now) and deflating his ego. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026 But the vote was a clear signal to the president from Republican senators who still want to placate him, despite increasing tensions in recent weeks and his decision Wednesday morning to reverse himself and delay signing a housing bill that received overwhelming bipartisan support. — Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 The approval Monday was met with united criticism by Republicans, who not only disagreed with the budget’s policies, but also said the deal did not placate concerns about the state’s financial health. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for placate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for placate

appease

Verb

This way of handling stress occurs when someone acts calm, appeases the threatening person and retreats to de-escalate the situation.

— Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
Will this be enough to appease the sellers and stabilize the stock?

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of appease

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“Placate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placate. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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