pac·i·fy (p s  -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. [Middle English pacifien, from Old French pacifier, from Latin p  cificre : px, pc-, peace; see pag- in Indo-European roots + -ficre, -fy.]pac i·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. |
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