pacify
Definitions
To calm someone down; to make a person or group less angry or upset.
安抚，使平静（使人或群体不再愤怒或不安）。
To impose order on a region by force, ending resistance or fighting.
（以武力）平定，使（地区）归于安定。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpac (peace) + -fy (to make, from facere) = 'to make peace.' On a small scale, to pacify is to calm an angry person or a crying child. On a large scale, to 'pacify' a region means to put down resistance and impose order — a peaceful-sounding word that can hide real force.
Root pac still carries 6 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.pacify the crowd安抚人群
- 2.pacify a child哄住孩子
- 3.pacify protesters安抚抗议者
- 4.pacify fears消除恐惧
Example Sentences
- 1.
She rocked the baby gently to pacify him.
- 2.
The mayor's promises did little to pacify the angry residents.
- 3.
The army was sent to pacify the rebellious province.
Synonym Comparison
- pacify — make calm/peaceful; broad, works for a baby, a crowd, or a region
- placate — calm someone's anger specifically, usually with a concession
- appease — give in to demands to keep peace, often with a negative ring
- mollify — soften hurt feelings, gentle and personal
- soothe — relieve pain or distress, comforting in tone