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

Indeed, the Australian writer-director laces the film’s many tall tales — like how Pinky’s second husband was eaten by a crocodile right in front of her eyes — with sardonic humor meant to mollify and entertain in equal measure.

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

Leaving aside the differences between Biden and Harris—he is the president and effectively in charge of American foreign policy, and she is not; he was apparently holding smaller events to avoid protesters, which she is obviously not—it is true that there is no single message or combination of words that will “mollify” protesters, at least as long as the war goes on.

From Slate

Related Words

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