Appease

/əˈpiːz/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To pacify or placate (someone) by granting concessions.

The government tried to appease the protesters by promising reforms.

To soothe or calm (a situation or a person).

She attempted to appease her angry friend with an apology.

To bring to a state of peace or quiet.

The manager hoped to appease the tensions in the office with a team-building exercise.

Middle English 'appeasen', from Old French 'apaisier', from 'a-' (from) + 'pais' (peace).

appease the crowd

to calm the audience or group by addressing their concerns or demands

appease someone's anger

to soothe or mitigate someone's anger by concessions or apologies

appease a demand

to comply with a request or demand to avoid conflict

pacification

The act of bringing peace and calming hostilities.

soothe

To gently calm or bring comfort.

placate

To make someone less angry or hostile.

To give in to avoid problems.

He decided to appease her by letting her choose the movie.

To buy peace.

Sometimes you just have to appease the kids with ice cream.