pacify
/'pæsifai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To bring peace to a place or situation, especially by ending violence or conflict: "pacify" means to establish calm and order, often through intervention or force.
- To soothe or calm someone who is angry, upset, or agitated: "pacify" also means to make a person feel less angry or upset, often by addressing their concerns.
Examples of Usage
Verb (Establishing peace):
- The government sent troops to pacify the rebellious region.
- Efforts to pacify the war-torn country have been ongoing for years.
Verb (Soothing a person):
- She tried to pacify the crying baby with a lullaby.
- The manager offered a full refund to pacify the dissatisfied client.
Advanced Usage
"to pacify a situation": to calm a tense or volatile circumstance.
- The negotiator's primary goal was to pacify the situation before talks could begin.
"to pacify one's fears/concerns": to alleviate or calm someone's worries.
- The doctor's clear explanation helped to pacify the patient's fears about the surgery.
Variants and Related Words
Pacifier (n): an object, especially a rubber nipple for a baby, used to soothe; or a person or thing that brings peace.
- The baby stopped crying when given a pacifier.
Pacifist (n): a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.
- She was a committed pacifist who protested against the war.
Pacification (n): the act of bringing peace or calming a situation.
- The pacification of the territory required both military and diplomatic efforts.
Synonyms
- Appease: to placate or pacify, often by making concessions.
- Mollify: to soothe the anger or anxiety of someone.
- Placate: to make someone less angry or hostile.
- Quell: to put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force.
- Soothe: to gently calm a person or their feelings.
Antonyms
- Agitate: to make someone troubled or nervous.
- Provoke: to stimulate or incite someone to feel or do something, especially anger or violence.
- Upset: to make someone unhappy, disappointed, or worried.
Related Phrases
"to pacify public opinion": to calm the general sentiment or mood of the populace.
- The new policy was announced to pacify public opinion after the scandal.
"pacify with words/actions": to calm someone using speech or deeds.
- Sometimes, you can pacify a critic with a sincere apology.
Verb
- fight violence and try to establish peace in (a location)
- The U.N. troops are working to pacify Bosnia
- cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
- She managed to mollify the angry customer