mollify

[ mol-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, mol·li·fied, mol·li·fy·ing.

1. to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease.
2. to mitigate or reduce; soften:

   to mollify one's demands.

mollify

/ ˈmɒlɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to pacify; soothe
2. to lessen the harshness or severity of

Derived Forms

• ˈmolliˌfier, noun
• ˌmollifiˈcation, noun
• ˈmolliˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• mol·li·fi·ca·tion [mol-, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• mol·li·fi·er noun
• mol·li·fy·ing·ly adverb
• mol·li·fi·a·ble adjective
• re·mol·li·fy verb (used with object) remollified remollifying
• un·mol·li·fi·a·ble adjective
• un·mol·li·fy·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mollify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificāre, equivalent to Latin molli(s) “soft” + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of mollify¹

C15: from Old French mollifier, via Late Latin, from Latin mollis soft + facere to make

Example Sentences

Bezos rejected claims that he declined an endorsement to Harris in hopes of mollifying Trump, although he acknowledged that his web of business interests would always present appearances of potential conflicts of interest.

From Los Angeles Times

Hezbollah has seemed unexpectedly vulnerable in the wake of Israel’s recent attacks, with little in the way of a response that would mollify its internal base.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, the U.S. spearheaded a push for negotiations in the hope of creating a cease-fire in Gaza that would mollify Hezbollah and Iran.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, the U.S. spearheaded a last-ditch effort to forge a cease-fire in Gaza, hoping that a breakthrough in negotiations would mollify Iran and Hezbollah’s demands for revenge.

From Los Angeles Times

Tygart was not mollified, saying: “China seemingly has the playbook to compete under a different set of rules tilting the field in their favor.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allay
• alleviate
• ameliorate
• appease
• assuage
• blunt
• lessen
• lull
• mitigate
• pacify
• placate
• quell
• relieve
• temper