Propitiate
/prəˈpɪʃiˌeɪt/
verbC2
Definition
Propitiate means to act in a way that makes a person or group feel better when they are angry or upset. It often involves giving something or doing something kind to calm them and gain their favor or forgiveness. This word is usually used in formal or serious situations.
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See It in Action
To calm or satisfy someone who is angry or upset by doing something to please them
- •She tried to propitiate her boss after the mistake by working late.
- •The villagers offered gifts to propitiate the angry spirit.
- •He propitiated his friend with a sincere apology and a small present.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "propitiate" like "please," but more serious and with the goal to stop anger or bad feelings
- ✓Picture someone giving a gift or saying sorry to calm a friend who is upset
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to fix a problem by making peace or showing kindness
- ✓Sounds like "pro-pish-ee-ate" → imagine a professional (pro) trying to "push" away anger by giving something nice
- ✓Think of stories where people make offerings to gods to stop bad events—this is propitiation
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which means to not pay attention); propitiate means to actively do something to fix feelings
- ✓NOT like "apologize" alone—propitiate can include gifts or actions beyond just saying sorry
- ✓NOT like "please" (which can be casual), propitiate is more formal and serious, often in important or religious contexts
Try Other Words
- •Appease: to calm someone by giving what they want (Use when the focus is on stopping anger by giving something)
- •Pacify: to make peaceful or calm (Use when calming anger or violence)
- •Conciliate: to try to make someone less angry or more friendly (Use in formal or diplomatic contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pro-" (forward, in favor) + Latin root "pitia" (from placare, meaning to please or calm) + suffix "-ate" (to make or do)
- •Etymology: From Latin "propitiare," meaning to make favorable or to appease
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s in English, often in religious or formal contexts about pleasing gods or people
- •Modern usage: Mostly formal or literary, used when talking about calming anger or gaining favor through actions or gifts
Reflect & Connect
•In what situations might you need to propitiate someone instead of just apologizing?
•How does the idea of propitiation appear in different cultures or stories you know?
Fill in the blanks
1.She gave a gift to propitiate her friend because she had ___ him earlier.
2.To propitiate the angry crowd, the leader promised to ___ their concerns.
3.Unlike ignoring a problem, to propitiate means to ___ it actively.
4.The villagers propitiated the spirit with offerings to ___ bad luck.
5.When you propitiate someone, you often try to ___ their anger or sadness.
6.Propitiate is more serious than "please" because it usually involves ___ feelings.
7.After the argument, he tried to propitiate his partner by ___ a thoughtful gesture.