appease
To pacify or satisfy someone by giving in to their demands
Examples
In a meeting
“We added those features to appease our largest customer.”
Over coffee
“I bought ice cream to appease the kids after canceling the park trip.”
Why this word
calm
appease implies satisfying demands or making concessions to pacify, while calm simply means to make tranquil without concession
satisfy
appease suggests yielding to demands to avoid conflict, often with negative connotations, while satisfy is neutral about the motivation
placate
appease and placate are very close, but appease more strongly implies concessions or compromise to mollify anger
Usage tip
Often implies concession or compromise, sometimes with slightly negative connotation of giving in too easily
Etymology
Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'pax' (peace), through Old French 'apaisier'
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Related words
contradict
To state the opposite or deny the truth of something
pushback
Resistance or objection to an idea or plan
impasse
A deadlock where no progress is possible
conciliatory
Intended to gain goodwill or reduce hostility
defuse
To reduce the danger or tension in a situation
intractable
Difficult or impossible to manage, resolve, or control