Mollify: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when you want to calm someone down or make them less angry by giving in to their demands or offering something of value.

• The manager tried to mollify the dissatisfied customer by offering a refund.
• He spoke gently to mollify her anger.

Used when you want to make someone feel more comfortable and less worried or upset. Applies broadly to emotional and physical contexts.

• The mother soothed her child by singing a lullaby.
• She applied aloe vera to soothe her sunburn.

Used to describe calming someone down and making them peaceful, often used with a direct object such as a person or group.

• She tried to pacify the angry mob with a speech.
• The pacifiers were useful to pacify the infants.

Implies making concessions to pacify someone, often used in a context where fulfilling a demand is seen as avoiding conflict. Sometimes has a negative connotation.

• The government tried to appease the protestors by agreeing to some of their demands.
• She bought the toy to appease the crying child.

Implies calming someone down by making concessions or giving them something they want. Often suggests a temporary or superficial fix.

• He tried to placate his boss by agreeing to work overtime.
• The teacher placated the students by postponing the test.