mollify

/ˌmɑləˈfaɪ/

Other forms: mollified; mollifying; mollifies

To mollify is to calm someone down, soothe their anger or anxiety. A parent might mollify a crying baby with a pacifier. A store manager might offer a full refund to mollify an outraged customer.

Mollify comes from the Latin mollificare, "to make soft," and that's still at the heart of the word. When you mollify someone, you smooth things over, even if you're maybe still a little mad: "I was angry that the guy took my seat, but I was mollified when he offered me one closer to the band." Unlike the sharp sounds of antagonize, there are only soft sounds in this word that means to make someone feel soft and cuddly. Although dryer sheets might soften your clothes, they don't mollify them (unless your clothes were really mad at you before).

Definitions of mollify

1. verb

   cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
   “She managed to mollify the angry customer”

   synonyms: appease, assuage, conciliate, gentle, gruntle, lenify, pacify, placate

   type of:

   calm, calm down, lull, quiet, quieten, still, tranquilize, tranquillise, tranquillize

   make calm or still
2. verb

   make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate
   synonyms: season, temper

   type of:

   nerf, weaken

   lessen the strength of
3. verb

   make softer or less rigid
   type of:

   soften

   make soft or softer