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Definitions

placate

[pley-keyt, plak-eyt] / ˈpleɪ keɪt, ˈplæk eɪt /
VERB
soothe, pacify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appease assuage mollify pacify reconcile satisfy soothe
STRONG
calm cheer comfort conciliate humor propitiate soft pedal stroke sweeten tranquilize
WEAK
make peace make up play up to pour oil on win over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitate incite irritate provoke upset worry
STRONG
aggravate trouble

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And she has one of the best laugh lines in the movie when she bats her eyes at the baddies and tries to placate them with, “You guys seem like good people.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Captain Cristian Romero's flying last-minute header salvaged a point for the visitors at Turf Moor but it was not enough to placate frustrated fans.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Europe has tried to placate President Trump in his second term as best they can.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

Musk’s latest comments are unlikely to placate regulators.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 8, 2025

Jomo would have been the best person to ask about arigbe—indeed, to ask for advice on how best to placate Master.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.