pacify
To make someone calm when they are angry or upset.
pacify in a sentence
- Only a warm bottle of milk could pacify the screaming baby.
- The zookeeper used a bucket of fish to pacify the grumpy sea lion.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to pacify?
- Aannoy
- Bcalm
- Cupset
- Danger
Show the answer
B: calm. The other three mean the opposite of pacify.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to pacify?
- Asoothe
- Banger
- Cquiet
- Dcalm
Show the answer
B: anger. The other three mean nearly the same as pacify.
Words that mean something similar
calm, soothe, quiet
Words that mean the opposite
anger, upset, annoy
More words about emotions & feelings
- pessimistic: Expecting the worst to happen.
- petrified: So frightened that you cannot move.
- plight: A sad or difficult situation someone is stuck in.
- qualm: A worried feeling that what you are doing might be wrong.
- ravenous: Extremely hungry, and ready to eat greedily.
- reassure: To comfort someone and make them feel less worried.
- rejoice: To feel or show great happiness.
- relish: To enjoy something very much.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test