appease
uh-PEEZ
/əˈpiːz/
To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands.
Appease often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a sacrifice of principles or a sign of weakness to avoid conflict.
The story behind the word. From the Old French 'apaisier', from 'a-' (to) and 'pais' (peace). It literally means 'to bring to peace.' Its negative political meaning became famous due to the 'Appeasement' policy toward Hitler before WWII.
Word relationships
- placate: Placate is more neutral; appease implies giving in to demands, often unwisely.
- defy: Defy means to openly resist or refuse to obey, the opposite of appeasing someone's demands.
Commonly confused with
- please: To please is to give enjoyment; to appease is to stop someone's anger by giving in.
Word family
- appeasement (noun): The action or process of appeasing.
- appeaser (noun): A person who accedes to demands in order to avoid conflict.
Collocations
- policy of appeasement
- appease an aggressor
- appease one's hunger
Example sentences
- "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." History
- "The parents tried to appease the screaming toddler by giving him the candy he wanted." Parenting
Memory hook
You 'appease' someone to keep the 'peace'. Giving in for peace.
When not to use
Do not use for general kindness; it specifically implies giving in to someone who is making demands.
Fun facts
- In a non-political sense, you can 'appease' your hunger or 'appease' your curiosity.
Related words
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