1
Calm opposition
Reduce anger by addressing a complaint or demand.
Example
The council added safeguards to appease residents concerned about noise.
appease
/əˈpiːz/ · uh-PEEZverb
To calm anger or discontent, often by meeting demands or making concessions.
Use appease when someone reduces hostility or dissatisfaction by offering what the dissatisfied party wants.
What appease Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Make a concession
Yield something in order to prevent conflict.
Example
The company lowered the fee to appease dissatisfied customers.
3
Soothe a concern
Provide reassurance that reduces anxiety or suspicion.
Example
Independent monitoring helped appease critics of the project.
Use appease Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The council added safeguards to appease residents concerned about noise.
A symbolic apology did little to appease the protesters.
The revised policy was designed to appease both factions.
Precision Matters
Appease overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
appease
vs.Often uses satisfaction or concession to reduce anger.
calm
Broadly makes someone less agitated.
appease
vs.Calms discontent or hostility.
satiate
Fully satisfies an appetite or desire.
appease
vs.May reduce conflict without resolving the underlying disagreement.
reconcile
Restores harmony or makes opposing ideas compatible.
appease
vs.Reduces anger or opposition.
provoke
Stimulates a reaction, often anger—the contrast.
Test appease in Context
The safeguards are concessions intended to calm opposition.
1
To ___ residents who feared that the new venue would increase late-night noise, the council required earlier closing times and independent sound monitoring.