placate
What does "placate" mean?
To placate someone means to calm them down or soothe their anger, typically by making concessions or offering something to appease them. The mental image is that of a ruffled, agitated person being offered a peace offering or a compromise, causing their frustration to settle like dust after a storm. This word is often used in professional, political, or conflict-resolution contexts. It implies that the person being placated was genuinely upset or demanding, and the action taken is a strategic move to restore peace or cooperation rather than necessarily resolving the underlying issue.
"placate" in conversation
Office conflict
The client is furious about the delay in the shipment.
The client is furious about the delay in the shipment.
I’ll offer them a 10% discount to placate them for now.
I’ll offer them a 10% discount to placate them for now.
Used here to describe a tactical move to handle a customer's anger.
Parenting
Stop crying, I bought you the toy you wanted!
Stop crying, I bought you the toy you wanted!
You’re just placating him, Sarah. He needs to learn patience.
You’re just placating him, Sarah. He needs to learn patience.
Highlights the nuance that placating can sometimes be seen as a short-term fix that avoids teaching a lesson.
"placate" in a sentence
She tried to placate the crying baby with a bottle.
She tried to placate the crying baby with a bottle.
The government announced new subsidies to placate the protesting farmers.
The government announced new subsidies to placate the protesting farmers.
No amount of empty promises will placate a public that has lost all faith in the administration.
No amount of empty promises will placate a public that has lost all faith in the administration.
