[pac.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME pacifien, fr. L pacificare, fr. pac-, pax peace] (15c) 1 a: to allay the anger or agitation of: soothe "~ a crying child" b: appease, propitiate
2. a: to restore to a tranquil state: settle "made an attempt to ~ the commotion" b: to reduce to a submissive state: subdue "forces moved in to ~ the country" -- pac.i.fi.able adj syn pacify, appease, placate, mollify, propitiate, conciliate mean to ease the anger or disturbance of. pacify suggests a soothing or calming "pacified by a sincere apology". appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions "appease their territorial ambitions". placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill "a move to placate local opposition". mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger "a speech that mollified the demonstrators". propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence esp. of a superior being "propitiated his parents by dressing up". conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences "conciliating the belligerent nations".