Pacifying: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when trying to bring peace or calm to a tense situation or person, often by addressing the root cause of the distress.

• The diplomat's efforts at pacifying the nations were crucial to avoiding war.
• She sang a lullaby, pacifying the baby effectively.

Used when trying to relieve someone's pain, discomfort, or anxiety, typically involving a gentle and comforting action.

• He gently rubbed her back to soothe her pain.
• Listening to music helped soothe her nerves before the big exam.

Used when trying to reduce someone's emotional agitation or to describe a general state of tranquility and peace.

• It took a while to calm the crowd after the announcement.
• She took deep breaths to calm herself before the speech.

Often used when attempting to make someone less angry or hostile by doing something to please them. It can also have a slightly negative connotation, implying that the action is more about avoiding conflict than genuine resolution.

• The coach tried to placate the player who was upset about being benched.
• They sent a gift to placate their upset client.

Commonly used when trying to satisfy or calm someone by giving in to their demands or requests, often to prevent conflict. It can have a negative connotation, implying submission or conceding to avoid trouble.

• The manager tried to appease the angry customer by offering a full refund.
• They made several concessions to appease the protesters.

Used when trying to bring peace or appease someone who is upset or angry. Often implies calming down someone who is emotionally distressed.

• The teacher worked on pacifying the students after the surprise fire drill

Used when trying to relieve someone's pain or discomfort, both physical and emotional. Often involves gentle actions or words.

• She applied aloe vera to soothe the sunburn
• He played soft music to soothe the baby to sleep

Used to describe the act of making someone or something less noisy. Applies to both people and environments.

• He tried to quiet the barking dog
• The librarian asked the children to quiet down

General term used to describe a state of tranquility or to make someone feel less agitated or excited. Applicable in various situations involving stress or excitement.

• She spoke softly to calm the frightened child