APPEASE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate , mollify , pacify , placate , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: Where would 'conciliate' be a reasonable alternative to 'appease'?

The meanings of conciliate and appease largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

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

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

Q: When is 'pacify' a more appropriate choice than 'appease'?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: When might 'placate' be a better fit than 'appease'?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease , placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

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

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being. // propitiated his parents by dressing up

appease

verb

ə-ˈpēz

Definition of appease

as in to placate

to lessen the anger or agitation of a game often appeases an upset toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb appease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appease are conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

Where would conciliate be a reasonable alternative to appease?

The meanings of conciliate and appease largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When can mollify be used instead of appease?

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

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is pacify a more appropriate choice than appease?

The words pacify and appease can be used in similar contexts, but pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When might placate be a better fit than appease?

While in some cases nearly identical to appease, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

When would propitiate be a good substitute for appease?

The words propitiate and appease are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 appease Part of it is Republican candidates trying to appease independent voters. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026 But the rollercoaster ride for AI could get bumpier with the latest reporting on OpenAI looking for ways to appease the White House. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 July 2026 In a 3-0 battering of Scotland, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeased the people of Miami with a Neymar cameo. — David Hickey, NBC news, 25 June 2026 To appease both protesters and hardline figures, Iranian negotiators are expected to insist to their American counterparts that any final deal must include substantial sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iran’s assets. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for appease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease

Verb

The play was sent to VAR and the penalty awarded, but the Brazilians in the stands and in the press box were only mostly placated by this development.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 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

Definition of placate

Verb

There are other means and methods as well, some of which may be combined, to alleviate stress and comfort your furry friend.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
The upscale American restaurant in SoHo is known for comforting dishes like a French dip sandwich and an ice cream sundae, as well as its savory sour-cream-and-onion martini from the cocktail menu.

— Lily Boyce, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of comfort

Verb

Share a meaningful story with a mentor or a relative far away, because seeing the bigger picture can soothe worries and recenter your priorities.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
The Pineapple Punch Hydrating Face Mask is a single-use, two-piece yellow hydrogel mask infused with ingredients that deliver hydration and soothing benefits.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

Making price info less accessible The order to be voted on later this month includes a few other changes that will please ISPs and their lobby groups.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Oviedo residents turned out by the hundreds for the sunny afternoon of crowd-pleasing contests and down-home edibles at tiny booths lining a grassy lot next to the Meat World parking lot.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026

Definition of please

Verb

But Syria, a regime still trying to get its legs under it, is not going to march next door and pacify Lebanon—especially not with Israel occupying parts of Syria.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
And under President Barack Obama, who was all talk and no action, Iran got rich selling sanction-less oil to China even as Obama sent planeloads of cash to pacify Iran.

— Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026

Definition of pacify

Verb

Rulers on the Nile did not rely solely on their own human powers but worshipped and propitiated a natural world that was alive with gods.

— Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
The credulous faith that these superpowers will voluntarily settle for some form of peaceful coexistence, if only they are sufficiently propitiated with concessions, is naive and dangerous.

— Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025

Definition of propitiate

Verb

As the situation in the south has calmed under a tentative truce, Hamza is waiting for the animals’ owners to return and reclaim them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
The city is recommending zoning regulations that fall in line with state statute while trying to calm residents who are worried data centers will overwhelm resources like water and energy and impose on their quality of life.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Definition of calm

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appease

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“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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