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Appease: meaning, definitions and examples

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appease

 

[əˈpiːz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

international relations

To calm, satisfy, or relieve by giving into demands. Often used in the context of making concessions to avoid conflict or aggression.

Synonyms

conciliate, pacify, placate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
appease

Use this when you want to calm someone down or make them content, especially if they are upset or angry. It often implies a sense of giving in to demands or requests.

  • She tried to appease her crying child by giving him a cookie.
  • The government made concessions to appease the protesters.
pacify

Used when calming someone down or bringing a state of peace. It can be applied to both people and situations that are turbulent or chaotic.

  • The mother tried to pacify her upset baby.
  • Efforts were made to pacify the conflict-ridden region.
placate

Commonly used when trying to make someone less angry or hostile. It often implies soothing or mollifying a person's anger or feelings.

  • He attempted to placate his boss after missing the deadline.
  • She placated her friend by apologizing and offering to make amends.
conciliate

Often used in a more formal or diplomatic context, this word implies the act of reconciling or making peace between conflicting parties. It suggests a deliberate effort to bring harmony.

  • The company sought to conciliate the opposing stakeholders.
  • His speech was meant to conciliate the divided community.

Examples of usage

  • The prime minister tried to appease the protesters by promising to address their concerns.
  • In an effort to appease their rival, the two countries signed a peace treaty.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To make peace with or reconcile.

Synonyms

make amends, reconcile, settle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
appease

Used when you want to calm someone down or make someone less angry or more satisfied, often in a situation where they are upset or demanding.

  • She brought him a cup of tea to appease his irritation.
  • The government tried to appease the angry crowd by addressing some of their demands.
reconcile

Used when you want to bring harmony or restore friendly relations between people or groups who were previously in disagreement or conflict.

  • They decided to reconcile after years of estrangement.
  • The mediator worked hard to reconcile the two parties.
make amends

Used when you want to indicate making up for a wrong or mistake, often by making some form of compensation or trying to fix the situation.

  • He tried to make amends for missing her birthday by taking her out to dinner.
  • After the argument, she bought flowers to make amends.
settle

Used in situations where you want to resolve a dispute, come to an agreement, or reach a final decision, often in a legal, financial, or formal context.

  • They decided to settle the lawsuit out of court.
  • After a long discussion, they finally settled on a name for their new project.

Examples of usage

  • After years of animosity, they finally decided to appease their differences and move forward.
  • She tried to appease her friend after the argument by apologizing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Middle English 'appeasen', which means to pacify or calm down.
  • Rooted in the Old French word 'apaiser', which also means to soothe or make peace.
  • The Latin influence is seen in the term 'pax', meaning peace, which relates to the idea of bringing tranquility.

History

  • Appeasement policies were notably used in the 1930s before World War II, as leaders tried to avoid conflict by satisfying demands.
  • The Munich Agreement of 1938 is a famous example, where European powers allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia in hopes of maintaining peace.
  • Historical interpretations of appeasement have varied, with some viewing it as a necessary attempt to prevent war, and others seeing it as a failure that encouraged aggression.

Psychology

  • In social situations, pleasing others can lead to decreased conflict but may also create unhealthy dependency on others' approval.
  • Over time, the appeasement strategy can result in resentment from the one who appeases if their own needs are not being met.
  • Research suggests that while seeking to appease can resolve immediate disputes, it is important for individuals to also assert their own needs.

Pop Culture

  • Films often depict characters who try to appease villains, showcasing the tension between conflict and resolution.
  • In literature, appeasement strategies are commonly explored in stories of political intrigue and moral dilemmas.
  • Songs sometimes reflect themes of appeasement as part of relational dynamics, showing how people navigate love and conflict.

Literature

  • Shakespeare frequently explored themes of appeasement in his plays, illustrating the complexities of power and loyalty.
  • In modern novels, characters often grapple with the consequences of trying to appease those around them, highlighting internal conflicts.
  • The theme of appeasement is used as a literary device in narratives to drive character development and plot twists.

Translations

Translations of the word "appease" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aplacar

🇮🇳 शांत करना

🇩🇪 beschwichtigen

🇮🇩 menenangkan

🇺🇦 заспокоїти

🇵🇱 uspokoić

🇯🇵 なだめる

🇫🇷 apaiser

🇪🇸 apaciguar

🇹🇷 yatıştırmak

🇰🇷 달래다

🇸🇦 يهدئ

🇨🇿 uklidnit

🇸🇰 upokojiť

🇨🇳 安抚

🇸🇮 pomiriti

🇮🇸 róa

🇰🇿 тыныштандыру

🇬🇪 დამშვიდება

🇦🇿 sakitləşdirmək

🇲🇽 apaciguar

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,400, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.