English Dictionary |
PLACATE
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
IPA (US): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does placate mean?
• PLACATE (verb)
The verb PLACATE has 1 sense:
1. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
Familiarity information: PLACATE used as a verb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Conjugation: |
Past simple: placated
Past participle: placated
-ing form: placating
Sense 1
Meaning:
Cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
Classified under:
Verbs of feeling
Synonyms:
appease; assuage; conciliate; gentle; gruntle; lenify; mollify; pacify; placate
Context example:
She managed to mollify the angry customer
Hypernyms (to "placate" is one way to...):
calm; calm down; lull; quiet; quieten; still; tranquilize; tranquillise; tranquillize (make calm or still)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Sentence example:
The performance is likely to placate Sue
Derivation:
placation (the act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity)
placative; placatory (intended to pacify by acceding to demands or granting concessions)
Context examples
"It's all right, mother," Scott was saying as he kept tight hold of White Fang and placated him.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Then he discovered his mistake and tried to placate her.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
They turned their shoulders to her most savage slashes, and with wagging tails and mincing steps strove to placate her wrath.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
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