1
as in to appease
to lessen the anger or agitation of
the only thing that would pacify the child and end the tantrum was a new toy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 pacify
When my co-worker tried to help, the woman began yelling at her and could not be pacified.
—
Courtenay Rudzinski, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
But the sporting director and CEO have reassured Howe this week that recruitment will be collaborative, and that has pacified the head coach.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 25 July 2024
Phil Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who studies automated driving safety, said the letter shows that the recall did little to solve problems with Autopilot and was an attempt to pacify NHTSA, which demanded the recall after more than two years of investigation.
—Tom Krisher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2024
Interdependence, the thinking went, would yield prosperity and act as a pacifying force.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Courtenay Rudzinski, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
But the sporting director and CEO have reassured Howe this week that recruitment will be collaborative, and that has pacified the head coach.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 25 July 2024
Phil Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who studies automated driving safety, said the letter shows that the recall did little to solve problems with Autopilot and was an attempt to pacify NHTSA, which demanded the recall after more than two years of investigation.
—Tom Krisher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2024
Interdependence, the thinking went, would yield prosperity and act as a pacifying force.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
-
Catch up quick: Stripe tender offers are becoming an annual event as the company seeks to appease employees while continuing to delay an IPO.—
Ryan Lawler,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The days of appeasing regimes that are hostile to the United States, coddling dictators, and sidelining our national security interests are over.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The pub is first and foremost a refuge from women, occasionally a place to display them, more often a scene of affirmation in the business of subduing them.—
Rachel Cusk,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
-
As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
These acts of creation, Leontyev explains, become a critical form of resistance against the Russians, whose goals in this war is not only to conquer Ukrainian territory but to eradicate Ukrainian culture.—
Simon Shuster,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The Romans conquered Britain in 43 A.D. and established London, then known as Londinium, about five years later.—
Claire Moses,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
For years, the conversation around sustainability has been dominated by a singular focus: going green.—
Jason Phillips,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Poway—As expected, the Titans dominated, winning all but one of the 14 weight classes and having all 14 wrestlers move on to the Masters meet.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As outlined above, these e-bike users subjected the batteries to abuses, increasing the risk of fire.—
John Orlando,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Landlords complained that would force them to enroll in a voluntary federal program, which would subject them to unwanted red tape.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
To advance, Sporting must overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2025
-
However, its lineup of new products may help to overcome that shortfall.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Also, in sympathy and apology, heartbroken for both our countries, but not defeated.—
Sabrina Haake,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2025
-
None of the amendments were binding, and with a 53-47 majority, Republicans had comfortable enough margins to defeat Democratic attempts to amend the resolution.—
David Sivak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share