placate
Group 1Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To make less angry or hostile GRE
Example in Context
The apology was intended to placate the offended delegation, but its qualified language was perceived as insincere and only deepened the rift.
Synonyms
calm downappeasepacify
Etymology
To soothe or calm someone down.
- placare (Latin) — to soothe
Memory Aid
🍰Sounds like “play cake”
If you PLAY with CAKE, you can PLACATE a crying child!
Visual Association
😌A parent presenting a giant cake to a toddler throwing a tantrum, who suddenly smiles.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “placate” mean on the GRE?
placate (verb) means “To make less angry or hostile”. The apology was intended to placate the offended delegation, but its qualified language was perceived as insincere and only deepened the rift.
How to remember “placate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “placate” sounds like “play cake”. If you PLAY with CAKE, you can PLACATE a crying child!
What are synonyms for “placate”?
Common synonyms: calm down, appease, pacify.