1
as in to appease
to lessen the anger or agitation of
the only thing that would pacify the child and end the tantrum was a new toy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
additional ground forces were needed to occupy those areas that had already been pacified
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacify
Still the boy would not be pacified.
—
Danielle Parker, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Leo has acknowledged the tensions and sought to pacify the debate, expressing an openness to dialogue and allowing exceptions to Francis’ crackdown.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Now the Red Sox must pivot and find a way to pacify a livid fan base less than one month before spring training begins.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a revolution, which Iran had helped bloodily pacify, finally achieved its goal.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Danielle Parker, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Leo has acknowledged the tensions and sought to pacify the debate, expressing an openness to dialogue and allowing exceptions to Francis’ crackdown.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Now the Red Sox must pivot and find a way to pacify a livid fan base less than one month before spring training begins.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a revolution, which Iran had helped bloodily pacify, finally achieved its goal.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pacify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacify
Verb
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This year, the dinner also comes amid the backdrop of major major media companies staying silent or trying to appease the administration.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
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The large format dessert is easy to slice into any-size squares and much like a pizza, toppings can be split—for example one half with fruit and the other with chocolate, to appease everyone.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two sources described the evening to Variety as subdued.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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Both would like to subdue Hezbollah and transform it into a relatively normal Lebanese political party.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So the railroads said the deal would shift which railroad dominates the market but wouldn’t dramatically change the competitive balance.—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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The insurgents, who operate at ease, crossing borders and dominating much of the countryside in Mali and Burkina Faso, now feel emboldened to target capital cities.—
Ulf Laessing,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With over 40 years of experience and a heritage rooted in the prestigious Valmont Clinic on the Swiss Riviera, the brand has conquered the world of skincare, combining advanced science, the purest natural ingredients from the Alps, and an unmistakable artistic sensibility.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Admittedly, the company conquered the market in large part by achieving a dramatic reduction in launch costs.—
Ben Tarnoff,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Demand is highest when the weather is at its worst, which subjects you to freezing temperatures and rotten road conditions.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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For the first time, balls and strikes can now be challenged, subjecting the fundamental building block of the game to review.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pacify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacify. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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