Skip to main content
Practice this wordAll P words
Visual memory aid for Placate

Placate

To calm or appease someone who is angry or upset.

verb
💡

Imagine This

If the prison provides 'play and eat' just like a resort, will you bet that the inmates will calm down and become less violent?

🔊

Sounds Like

PLEY-kayt

👀

Looks Like

play ate → play and eat

📝

Remember This

From Latin placatus, the past participle of placere 'to please'; related to placid and other words meaning calm or agreeable.

📚

Other Forms

placatesverb
placatingverb
placatedverb
placationnoun
placatornoun
🔗

Connect With

pacify, appease, conciliate, mollify, soothe

📌

Note

Placate emphasizes soothing someone's anger through concessions or conciliatory actions. It does not imply defeating or punishing the other party; it focuses on calming feelings.

🧠

Study Deeper

Examples
  • The manager tried to placate the dissatisfied customer with a refund and a sincere apology.
  • Police attempted to placate the crowd by promising a full investigation.
Synonyms
pacifyappeaseconciliatemollifysoothe
Antonyms
inflameenrageprovoke
Etymology

From Latin placatus, past participle of placere 'to please'; from placere, 'to be pleasing'.

Mnemonic

Placate = please + ate: Imagine you please someone by offering a meal to calm them.

How well do you know this word now?

Your choice schedules the next review.

Next Word

Continue in alphabetical order.

Placid

Study beyond this word

Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan

Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.

Compare all resources
Seberson Method SAT Vocabulary Workbook book cover

Vocabulary in context

SAT Vocabulary Workbook

The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.

Check the workbook
The Official Digital SAT Study Guide book cover

First-time test takers

Official SAT Guide

Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.

Check the official guide

Paid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.