verb
Uncommon
appease
uh-PEEZ
Appease (verb) means to calm someone down or make them less angry, especially by giving them what they want. Example: “He tried to appease his boss by working through the weekend.”
verb
1
To calm someone down or make them less angry, especially by giving them what they want.
"He tried to appease his boss by working through the weekend."
"The government offered tax cuts to appease angry voters."
How to use appease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo calm someone's anger or demands, usually by giving in to what they want.
Common mistake
Often carries a negative undertone, implying giving in too easily rather than resolving the real problem — as in the historical "appeasement" of aggressive powers before WWII.
Common pairings
appease critics
appease the crowd
try to appease
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- appeases
- Past tense
- appeased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tried to _____ his boss by working through the weekend.
Etymology
From Old French apeser, "to bring to peace," related to Latin pax ("peace").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for appease
See all rhymes for appease →Frequently asked questions
What does “appease” mean?
The word “appease” means to calm someone down or make them less angry, especially by giving them what they want. In plain terms, to calm someone's anger or demands, usually by giving in to what they want.
How do you pronounce “appease”?
“Appease” is pronounced uh-PEEZ (/əˈpiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “appease” in a sentence?
Here is “appease” used in a sentence: “He tried to appease his boss by working through the weekend.”
What is the opposite of “appease”?
The opposite of “appease” — its antonyms — is antagonize.
What part of speech is “appease”?
“Appease” is a verb.
Where does the word “appease” come from?
The word “appease” comes from Latin. From Old French apeser, "to bring to peace," related to Latin pax ("peace").
Is “appease” a common word?
“Appease” is an uncommon word in modern English.
