Placate
mediumPLAY-kayt
verb
Definition
To make someone less angry or hostile; to appease
Examples
“The company tried to placate angry customers with refunds.”
“Nothing could placate his wounded pride.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Placate is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "mollify" or "appease" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "provoke".
Related GRE Words
appease
To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands
pacify
To bring peace to; to calm down; to appease
mollify
To appease the anger or anxiety of someone
ambivalent
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something
contempt
The feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn
daunt
To make someone feel intimidated or apprehensive
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