placate

¹

[ pley-keyt, plak-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pla·cat·ed, pla·cat·ing.

1. to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures:

   to placate an outraged citizenry.

   Synonyms: satisfy, conciliate

placate

²

[ plak-eyt, -it ]

noun

, Armor.

1. a piece of plate armor of the 15th to the 18th century protecting the lower part of the torso in front: used especially as a reinforcement over a breastplate.

placate

/ pləˈkeɪt /

verb

1. tr to pacify or appease

Derived Forms

• plaˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• placat·er noun
• pla·ca·tion [pley-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• un·placat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin plācātus, past participle of plācāre “to quiet, calm, appease,” akin to placēre “to please”; please

Origin of placate²

First recorded in 1625–35; apparently variant of placard

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

C17: from Latin plācāre; see placable

Example Sentences

When he was sacked, the fans were furious and the decision to hand the reins to Daniele de Rossi seemed a way to placate supporters rather than to serve a long-term vision.

From BBC

What’s scary is not what Reed has in store for them, but how these young women already know how to placate and navigate a Bad Man, how to “politely wrap this up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Clement, too, insisted this cannot be a one-off for Rangers and says words will only go so far to placate the fanbase.

From BBC

It's like people, a lot of other filmmakers try to placate and make a film based on what they think, but I'm letting the truth be what it is.

From Salon

In an effort to expand the reach of Jack’s smile and placate the community, painters created a jack-o-lantern face on both sides of the tank, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appease
• assuage
• mollify
• pacify
• reconcile
• satisfy
• soothe