placating 1 of 2

adjective

as in appeasing
tending to lessen or avoid conflict or hostility a placating comment that seemed to calm everyone down a bit

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placating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of placate
as in comforting
to lessen the anger or agitation of attempted to placate the screaming child by offering him a cookie

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 placating
Verb
But now these same firms have to navigate maintaining ties with the president while placating Democrats who could very well control both houses of Congress next year. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 In hopes of placating his daughters, Andrew bought Lizzie and Emma a home to rent out, per American Heritage. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 Andy Burnham’s balancing act Rising costs also add to the pressure on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has pledged to tackle the cost-of-living burden but is also tasked with balancing the public books and placating the bond market. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 From the theorist’s vantage, the narrator’s couches will always be placating. — Maya Binyam, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026 Scam Buster is a bot that will reply to scammers in your inbox, placating them with the same social engineering tactics that scammers use, such as impersonation, flattery, and urgent messaging. — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026 The note is there when Sugar gets back, placating his suspicions (for now) and deflating his ego. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026 Putin has struggled to manage fighting Kyiv on the one hand and placating domestic constituencies on the other. — Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026 In your opinion, should the shop have handled this differently—perhaps compensating or at least placating me? — Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placating
  1. conciliatory
  2. appeasing
  3. soothing
  4. comforting
  5. benevolent
  6. pacific
  7. peaceful
  8. calming
Adjective
  • However, Flávio is perceived as a more moderate and conciliatory Bolsonaro.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Xi struck a conciliatory posture in his opening remarks at the summit.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of conciliatory
Verb
  • The bill now also includes a compromise on stablecoin yield aimed at appeasing banking interests by directing the Treasury secretary to restrict rewards if deposit flight from community banks occurs on a substantial scale.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In 1938, British, French, German and Italian leaders concluded the Munich Agreement, which was aimed at appeasing Adolf Hitler by allowing Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of appeasing
Adjective
  • On the upside, the villas are one of the more soothing spots for a mild hangover.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Shopping, usually a soothing balm for me, got somewhat frustrating.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of soothing
Adjective
  • While some people say their sleep is disrupted, others find pets comforting.
    — Maggie Penman, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The plush, balm-meets-mask formula coats lips in a comforting layer that keeps moisture from escaping overnight, with hyaluronic acid, minerals, and antioxidant-rich Berry Mix Complex helping soften dry, flaky skin.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • To George, there are benevolent choices that businessmen owe to those who their work touches.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With new ownership, the Lakers’ braintrust no longer has the protection of the benevolent Buss family or the baseball-centric Mark Walter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of benevolent
Adjective
  • National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026
  • These conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane development, whereas the eastern and central Pacific hurricane seasons are typically more active during strong El Niño events.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026
Definition of pacific
Adjective
  • National Historical Park comprising his birth home, a peaceful rose garden, and the King Center.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • While refuting any suggestion of police repression, Lecornu condemned violence on the margins of protests, which were mostly peaceful Tuesday, despite the dramatic scenes that dominated coverage.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of peaceful
Adjective
  • The property has 21 private cottages, each simple, calming, and tech-free, promoting deep rest and focus.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Some studies suggest that L-theanine may increase alpha waves in the brain, which have a calming, relaxing effect and can improve sleep quality.
    — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of calming

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Cite this Entry

“Placating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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