Vocabulary in context
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Mollify
To calm or soothe, especially by appeasing or softening someone's anger or emotions; to make something less severe or painful.
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Imagine This
Molly, the moth, flies into the sky hoping to soothe her anger.
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Sounds Like
MOL-i-fy
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Looks Like
Molly + ify (sounds like 'Molly' the name plus the suffix '-ify')
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Remember This
The root moll- means soft. Mollify originally meant to soften something physically, and today it is used for calming emotions as well.
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Other Forms
mollifiedverb (past participle)
mollifyingverb (present participle)
mollifiernoun
mollifiesverb (present tense)
mollificationnoun
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Note
Mollify is often used with emotions or disputes (to mollify a person or a conflict). It is similar to pacify or appease, but mollify can carry a sense of softening or dulling rather than granting full agreement.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with a sincere apology and a refund.
- Her quiet words helped mollify his frustration after the meeting.
Synonyms
placatepacifysootheappeasealleviate
Antonyms
exacerbateaggravateenrage
Etymology
From Latin mollificare 'to soften', from mollis 'soft'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: MOLLIFY = Make Others Less irate by laying aside friction and smoothing things.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Appease
verbCalm, pacify
Placate
verbTo calm or appease someone who is angry or upset.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
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