PLACATING Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

placating 1 of 2

adjective

as in appeasing

tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility a placating comment that seemed to calm everyone down a bit

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placating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of placate

as in comforting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 placating

Verb

The note is there when Sugar gets back, placating his suspicions (for now) and deflating his ego. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026 Putin has struggled to manage fighting Kyiv on the one hand and placating domestic constituencies on the other. — Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026 In your opinion, should the shop have handled this differently—perhaps compensating or at least placating me? — Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 If Paul’s creed is essentially Roman, then Christianity looks, from the outset, like a religion trained to live with empire, its compass always set toward placating power. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 But there’s no guarantee her successor will have any better success at placating the president. — Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026 Without these questions, our decisions become about placating requests. — Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026 The story’s correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi accused CBS News management of placating the White House, turning the decision into a public relations fiasco for the network. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 The majority of the more than 200 speakers at the hearings, however, criticized the draft plan, often with passionate testimony, arguing that the state was simply placating water users and failing to demand the deeper water cutbacks necessary for restoring the delta and the upstream rivers. — Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for placating

Adjective

At least the nutritionist coaching me on my diet is conciliatory.

— Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026
During the Black Hat keynote, Sean Cairncross, the US national cyber director, took a very hands-off, conciliatory tone regarding AI, security, and privacy regulation.

— Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of conciliatory

Verb

Interest—from both visitors and islanders—is gently shifting away from polishing playboy yachts or appeasing the decadent whims of retirees, to something, well, more real.

— Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
But for most Republican members of Congress, appeasing Trump remains key to primary and electoral success.

— SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of appeasing

Adjective

Meanwhile, the in-cabin activities were equally soothing, with meditative coloring books, cards, board games, a yoga mat, and on-the-nose books about getting lost in nature’s beauty.

— Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Getting organized is emotionally soothing as the moon and Mercury harmonize.

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of soothing

Adjective

Fall Dog Treats These cozy seasonal dog treats are made with simple organic ingredients, gently oven baked in small batches for a soft, flavorful reward inspired by the comforting tastes of fall.

— Jessica Moore, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Those ‘boys’ are in their late forties and fifties now — a comforting reminder, to parents who may be despairing about enduring another entry in this franchise, that all children eventually grow up.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of comforting

Adjective

In Chinese mythology, for example, dragons are revered as powerful, benevolent beings associated with rain, rivers, and fertility.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
His single mom, Laura, got by with assistance from the local church and benevolent relatives, including one who bought Warner football cleats.

— Dan Pompei, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of benevolent

Adjective

National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026
These conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane development, whereas the eastern and central Pacific hurricane seasons are typically more active during strong El Niño events.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026

Definition of pacific

Adjective

After decades of relatively peaceful seas, cargo vessels have become high-priority targets, getting damaged, sunk or seized with abandon.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Even a short, narrow stream can create a peaceful effect as the water trickles and gurgles along.

— Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of peaceful

Adjective

From humorous and whimsical to elegant and calming, the choice is yours.

— Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
The best way to make sure your words have a calming effect is to bend down to your child’s eye level, hold their hands in yours, and take a few deep breaths.

— Francesca Castagnoli, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of calming

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placates

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“Placating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placating. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of placating

adjective

verb

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