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

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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 The city’s first street food market appeases the vast spectrum of palates and preferences, from vegans' to meat-lovers', by featuring ten culinary traders who specialize in ethnic fare from Greece to the bayous of Louisiana. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 While this might sound appeasing to some, the Big Ten is not onboard with this idea, sources told OutKick-FOX News and others. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Instead, sources familiar with the situation pointed to Trump’s history of dropping past animosity with Republicans who appease him as one reason Pirro still has a shot of lasting beyond this week’s tenuous moment. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, the five county commissioners are trying to appease union and voter concerns that the funding would take away from more critical and pressing county services. — Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for appease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appease

Verb

Those utility accountability measures don’t seem to placate those who accuse Newsom of trying to bail out the power companies.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
But so far there has been little vigorous action to placate investors.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of placate

Verb

There might be a best practice emerging with general rules to live by, but the exact products and ingredients that trigger or soothe your skin will be highly individualized.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
And many people feel a teaspoon of honey or perhaps tea with honey can soothe a scratchy throat.

— Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of soothe

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

The lightweight formula pairs olive, argan, jojoba, sunflower, and safflower oils with smoothing silicones to calm frizz and boost shine.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
The tech giant's commentary around artificial intelligence demand appeared to calm down some of those fears.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of calm

Browse Nearby Words

appeasable

appease

appeased

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“Appease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appease. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of appease

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