as in appeasing
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility
a placating comment that seemed to calm everyone down a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in comforting
to lessen the anger or agitation of
attempted to placate the screaming child by offering him a cookie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of placating
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
This replaces placating with directly communicating out of respect for your longstanding relationship.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to tread a thin line between placating Polish sensitivities and avoiding the wrath of nationalist Ukrainians.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025
Fans can credit Schneider's handling of the situation for placating any potential hard feelings as the team removes a standout starter from the rotation to make room for Bieber.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
The nominee will face a high-wire act of placating the president (who wants steep interest rate cuts) while keeping the trust of investors worried about high inflation and political influence on the central bank.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for placating
Verb
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Parents are questioning whether four years and six figures are worth it, especially as campuses are increasingly overtaken by chaos, radical activism, and administrators more concerned with appeasing ideological mobs than educating students.—
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And yet, beneath the veil of politeness, there was rhetoric from the US president that suggests his default position in negotiations is still to pressure Kyiv, while appeasing Moscow.—
Adjective
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Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has struck a more conciliatory tone, urging dialogue and promising economic reforms in bid to placate demonstrators demanding political change, action on corruption and relief from rising living costs.—
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Opponents found a conciliatory tone, mostly concerned with vague details Neighbors offered about security, screening and how residents will use the associated auto shop on site.—
Adjective
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These are the bad bathroom layouts keeping your space from feeling like a sanctuary, and designers are sharing how to switch things up for a much more soothing space.—
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Warm, soothing, and comforting – chicken soup is really good for the soul.—
Adjective
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Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing.—
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In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.—
Adjective
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Sandy Rabins, who led AnimAID efforts to help those in the animation industry affected by the 2025 LA wildfires, will receive the June Foray Award for benevolent impact to the animation community.—
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Not like a drunk way but like a benevolent alien who couldn’t believe that this planet had donuts.—
Adjective
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Courtesy: Apple Apple on Tuesday sent invites to the media and analysts for a launch event at its campus on September 9 at 10 A.M pacific time.—
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My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the pacific campaign.—
Adjective
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The mayor called on the community to remain peaceful in the aftermath.—
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But once inside, as the crackling fire quickly warms you up, there’s no better feeling after hours on the trail than dropping your backpack on the floor, taking off your boots and settling in for a few days of peaceful escape.—
Adjective
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The vibe is mature, focused, and surprisingly calming.—
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Reading Popular for generations, reading a physical book has once again become a go-to winter activity for people seeking a calming break from screens, noise and activity.—
Cite this Entry
“Placating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placating. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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