mollify

verb

mol·li·fy ˈmä-lə-ˌfī

mollified; mollifying

Synonyms of mollify next

transitive verb

: to soothe in temper or disposition : appease

mollified the staff with a raise

: to reduce the rigidity of : soften

Shaving cream mollifies the beard.

: to reduce in intensity : assuage, temper

Time mollified his anger.

intransitive verb

archaic : soften, relent

mollification

ˌmä-lə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for mollify

pacify, appease, placate, mollify, propitiate, conciliate mean to ease the anger or disturbance of.

pacify suggests a soothing or calming.

pacified by a sincere apology

appease implies quieting insistent demands by making concessions.

appease their territorial ambitions

placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness to goodwill.

a move to placate local opposition

mollify implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger.

a speech that mollified the demonstrators

propitiate implies averting anger or malevolence especially of a superior being.

propitiated his parents by dressing up

conciliate suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession, or settling of differences.

conciliating the belligerent nations

Examples of mollify in a Sentence

He tried to mollify his critics with an apology. All attempts to mollify the extremists have failed. The landlord fixed the heat, but the tenants still were not mollified.

Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, Francesca, so mollified in her connection with Lord John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Alli), realizes contentment is no match for intense and longing chemistry. —

Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 June 2024 One option seems to be trying to force a floor vote on a high court ethics and recusal bill by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, though that approach is unlikely to mollify critics or overcome Republican opposition. —

Carl Hulse, New York Times, 7 June 2024 While Trump hopes to change the subject from his conviction in New York, Biden has yet to mollify young voters who remain dissatisfied by U.S. efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. —

Michael Tubridy, New York Daily News, 31 May 2024 To mollify the Russians, the Finns also practiced self-censorship on a sweeping scale. —

Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for mollify

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mollify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mollifien, from Middle French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificare, from Latin mollis soft; akin to Greek amaldynein to soften, Sanskrit mṛdu soft, and probably to Greek malakos soft, amblys dull, Old English meltan to melt

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of mollify was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mollify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mollify. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

mollify

verb

mol·li·fy ˈmäl-ə-ˌfī

mollified; mollifying

: to reduce the harshness or violence of

: to soothe in temper or disposition : conciliate

mollification

ˌmäl-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun

Last Updated: 23 Jun 2024 - Updated example sentences

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mollify

verb

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Synonyms

Examples of mollify in a Sentence

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