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mollify

Verb

IPA /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

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Meaning in plain English

To reduce someone's anger or upset, usually by offering an explanation, apology or gesture that makes them feel better.

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Pronunciation

mollify/ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

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A neighbour is upset about noise
You offer a sincere apology
Their anger eases

An apology may mollify someone by reducing their anger.

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A sincere apology helped mollify our neighbour after the noisy party.
The manager tried to mollify the disappointed applicants with a clear explanation.

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A sincere apology helped ________ our neighbour after the noisy party.

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mollify — To reduce someone's anger or upset, usually by offering an explanation, apology or gesture that makes them feel better.

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To reduce someone's anger or upset, usually by offering an explanation, apology or gesture that makes them feel better.

Compare: A sincere apology helped mollify our neighbour after the noisy party.

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Word origin

From French mollifier or Latin mollificare, related to mollis, meaning soft.

Did you know?

Mollify focuses on reducing an emotional reaction rather than necessarily solving the underlying problem.

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