placate
verb C2
Plain meaning
to calm someone down by giving them what they want or reducing their anger
Exam-register meaning
to appease or pacify a person or group, often temporarily
In context
naturalThe manager offered a refund to placate the angry customer.
examThe government introduced subsidies to placate voters affected by rising fuel prices.
Common collocations
placate criticsplacate votersplacate an angry crowd
Watch out
Placate does not mean “please” in a general sense; it means calm anger or opposition.
Word family
placation (noun)placatory (adjective)