placate

¹

[pley-keyt, plak-eyt]

verb (used with object)

placated, placating 

1. to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures.

   to placate an outraged citizenry.

   Synonyms: satisfy, conciliate

placate

²

Also placcate,

[plak-eyt, -it]

noun

Armor.

1. a piece of plate armor of the 15th to the 18th century protecting the lower part of the torso in front: used especially as a reinforcement over a breastplate.

placate

/ pləˈkeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to pacify or appease

Other Word Forms

• placation noun
• placater noun
• unplacated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin plācātus, past participle of plācāre “to quiet, calm, appease,” akin to placēre “to please”; please

Origin of placate²

First recorded in 1625–35; apparently variant of placard

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

C17: from Latin plācāre; see _placable

Example Sentences

"Can he placate the protesters and bring an end to rolling demonstrations, while not resorting to excessive state violence or repression? This is the question."

From BBC

“Kingsbarn openly admitted … that Balelo had demanded the terminations and that they were being done solely to placate him,” the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times

The film, peppered with witty one-liners and iconic scenes, follows the teen's attempts to placate her family while chasing her dream of getting scouted.

From BBC

To placate them, authorities reduced the size of the dormitory and built a separate road for workers to access the dormitory.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the internet’s you-go-girl optimists placate Iris with flimsy assurances that men always pull away before they commit.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appease 
• assuage 
• mollify 
• pacify 
• reconcile 
• satisfy 
• soothe