pacify

[ pas-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing.

1. to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquility; quiet; calm:

   to pacify an irate customer.

2. to appease:

   to pacify one's appetite.

   Synonyms: assuage, mollify, soothe

   Antonyms: enrage, anger

3. to reduce to a state of submission, especially by military force; subdue.

pacify

/ ˈpæsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to calm the anger or agitation of; mollify
2. to restore to peace or order, esp by the threat or use of force

Derived Forms

• ˈpaciˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• pac·i·fi·a·ble adjective
• pac·i·fy·ing·ly adverb
• non·pac·i·fi·a·ble adjective
• re·pac·i·fy verb (used with object) repacified repacifying
• un·pac·i·fi·a·ble adjective
• un·pac·i·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacify¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Old French pacef(i)ier, pacifier, from Latin pācificāre “to make peace”; pacific, -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacify¹

C15: from Old French pacifier; see pacific

Example Sentences

But the slaying of Arcos, who had vowed to pacify the region, was particularly grisly.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a man who has pacified a team who seemed to be at war with itself once.

From BBC

“I have faith that very soon all this region is going to be pacified and brotherhood and concord will return,” he said during a recent visit to La Concordia to inaugurate a new bridge.

From Los Angeles Times

We are easier to marginalize and to pacify if we fold ourselves into such tiny boxes.

From Los Angeles Times

Apparently, the civilian pukes in Washington lacked the general’s gung-ho confidence that with just a little more door-kicking and pyrotechnics, Afghanistan would be pacified — something that hadn’t happened since the Mongol invasions.

From Salon

Related Words

• allay
• ameliorate
• assuage
• mitigate
• mollify
• placate
• quell
• repress
• smooth over
• soothe
• tame