Library / English Dictionary

PACIFY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: pacified   

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fight violence and try to establish peace in (a location)

Example:

The U.N. troops are working to pacify Bosnia

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "pacify" is one way to...):

establish; give (bring about)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

pacification (a treaty to cease hostilities)

pacifier (someone who tries to bring peace)

peace (a treaty to cease hostilities)

peace (the state prevailing during the absence of war)

peace (the general security of public places)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

Example:

She managed to mollify the angry customer

Synonyms:

appease; assuage; conciliate; gentle; gruntle; lenify; mollify; pacify; placate

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "pacify" is one way to...):

calm; calm down; lull; quiet; quieten; still; tranquilize; tranquillise; tranquillize (make calm or still)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to pacify Sue

Derivation:

pacification (the act of appeasing someone or causing someone to be more favorably inclined)

pacifier (device used for an infant to suck or bite on)

peace (the absence of mental stress or anxiety)

peace (harmonious relations; freedom from disputes)

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