mollify

[mol-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

mollified, mollifying 

1. to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease.

2. to mitigate or reduce; soften.

   to mollify one's demands.

mollify

/ ˈmɒlɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to pacify; soothe

2. to lessen the harshness or severity of

Other Word Forms

• mollification noun
• mollifier noun
• mollifyingly adverb
• mollifiable adjective
• remollify verb (used with object)
• unmollifiable adjective
• unmollifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mollify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificāre, equivalent to Latin molli(s) “soft” + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of mollify¹

C15: from Old French mollifier, via Late Latin, from Latin mollis soft + facere to make

Example Sentences

A cut is widely expected later this month – but is highly unlikely to be large enough to mollify the president.

From BBC

He ideally would like to bring Western nations along, yet they believe his hunger for peace outweighs his wish to ensure European leaders are mollified.

From BBC

Neither move mollified Carter, who gave Bass until May to fix the broken system, vowing to become “your worst nightmare” should she fail.

From Los Angeles Times

Paramount, however, could face legal blowback if it shells out a huge amount to mollify Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

Of any attempt to mollify Trump, he said "good luck with that".

From BBC

Related Words

• allay 
• alleviate 
• ameliorate 
• appease 
• assuage 
• blunt 
• lessen 
• lull 
• mitigate 
• pacify 
• placate 
• quell 
• relieve 
• temper