pacifying

pac·i·fy  (ps-f)

tr.v. pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing, pac·i·fies

1. To ease the anger or agitation of.

2. To end war, fighting, or violence in; establish peace in.

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[Middle English pacifien, from Old French pacifier, from Latin pcificre : px, pc-, peace; see pag- in Indo-European roots + -ficre, -fy.]

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paci·fia·ble adj.

Synonyms: pacify, mollify, conciliate, appease, placate
These verbs refer to allaying another's anger, belligerence, discontent, or agitation. To pacify is to restore calm to or establish peace in: "The explanation . . . was merely an invention framed to pacify his guests" (Charlotte Brontë). An army was required in order to pacify the islands.
Mollify stresses the soothing of hostile feelings: The therapist mollified the angry teenager by speaking gently.
Conciliate implies winning over, often by reasoning and with mutual concessions: "A wise government knows how to enforce with temper or to conciliate with dignity" (George Grenville).
Appease and placate suggest satisfying claims or demands or tempering antagonism, often by granting concessions: I appeased my friend's anger with a compliment. A sincere apology placated the indignant customer.