Propitiate
hardpruh-PISH-ee-ayt
verb
Definition
to appease or win the goodwill of
Examples
“The villagers offered grain to propitiate the gods they believed had sent the drought.”
“He tried to propitiate his furious manager with a hasty apology and a promise to redo the work.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Propitiate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "appease" or "placate" 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
placate
To make someone less angry or hostile; to appease
mollify
To appease the anger or anxiety of someone
conciliatory
intended to placate or win goodwill; appeasing
assuage
To make an unpleasant feeling less intense; to satisfy an appetite or desire
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