MOLLIFY Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'mollify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mollify are appease , conciliate , pacify , placate , and propitiate . While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger. // a speech that mollified the demonstrators

Q: When is 'appease' a more appropriate choice than 'mollify'?

The words appease and mollify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions. // appease their territorial ambitions

Q: When might 'conciliate' be a better fit than 'mollify'?

The meanings of conciliate and mollify largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences. // conciliating the belligerent nations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pacify' instead of 'mollify'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mollify , pacify suggests a soothing or calming. // pacified by a sincere apology

Q: When could 'placate' be used to replace 'mollify'?

In some situations, the words placate and mollify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill. // a move to placate local opposition

Q: Where would 'propitiate' be a reasonable alternative to 'mollify'?

The synonyms propitiate and mollify are sometimes interchangeable, but propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being. // propitiated his parents by dressing up

mollify

verb

ˈmä-lə-ˌfī

Definition of mollify

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of an apology would probably mollify your friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe a friendly gesture that did a lot to mollify their suspicions about the new neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb mollify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mollify are appease, conciliate, pacify, placate, and propitiate. While all these words mean "to ease the anger or disturbance of," mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

When is appease a more appropriate choice than mollify?

The words appease and mollify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

When might conciliate be a better fit than mollify?

The meanings of conciliate and mollify largely overlap; however, conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

When is it sensible to use pacify instead of mollify?

While in some cases nearly identical to mollify, pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

When could placate be used to replace mollify?

In some situations, the words placate and mollify are roughly equivalent. However, placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

Where would propitiate be a reasonable alternative to mollify?

The synonyms propitiate and mollify are sometimes interchangeable, but propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mollify Netflix’s decision back then was in part aimed at mollifying shareholders, who at the time were flipping out over a slowdown in subscriber growth. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 July 2026 Comcast executives needed to make a bolder move to mollify frustrated investors. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 The vote was largely symbolic but appeared to mollify the president, who earlier in the day canceled a ceremonial signing of a bipartisan housing bill to exert pressure on the Senate to pass an unrelated election law bill. — Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Spending too much time on modifying or mollifying faculty — and not enough on student success, including graduation rates — is a cardinal sin for administrators. — Nick Ladany, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mollify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mollify

Verb

Neither Adobe nor Microsoft have done much to appease to their user base.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
As shoppers cut spending in the face of high gas and food prices, businesses have pulled more levers to boost profitability and appease investors.

— Ryan Baker, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of appease

Verb

To alleviate the itchy bites, travelers on the flight were provided with antihistamines, though the crew eventually ran out of the medication, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

— Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Around the same time, fears of a smaller Chinese crop brought about by an exceptionally hot summer in Xinjiang were alleviated by stronger-than-expected yields.

— SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The suddenness of it all was terrifying, even paralyzing, and yet, at the same time, oddly relieving.

— Andrew Lipstein, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of relieve

Verb

And their extreme, alien physics may help scientists elucidate how the first generation of stars and the first galaxies came to be.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
In humanoid robotics, this approach can help develop coordinated movements that account for the robot’s body dynamics and interactions with external objects.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of help

Verb

On top of that, the plugs offer passive isolation (the seal of the bud) and adaptive sound masking (soothing audio tracks that help cover up your beloved’s snoring).

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The restaurant on the ground floor features red brick arches, midcentury sconces and a soothing interior with plush beige armchairs and warm wood accents.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020 Congress passed legislation that sought to mitigate the economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
In addition to her achievements in growing the WNBA, Engelbert has also been criticized by players for her management style and failure, at times, to mitigate controversy.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

Similarly strong winds are possible on Tuesday in North Carolina and the Mid-Atlantic and may ease only slightly by Wednesday.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens last month to avoid foreign travel and buying gold, to ease the pressure on the local currency.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ease

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mollify

mollifying

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“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mollify. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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