mollify
/ˈmɒl.ɪ.faɪ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To make someone less angry, upset, or worried. It often means calming feelings after a problem or disagreement.
- The apology mollified the angry customer.
- She tried to mollify her parents.
- Warm words did not mollify him.
Adinary Nuance
Mollify is close to calm, soothe, and appease, but it is more formal than calm. It often suggests that someone is already upset, and you try to reduce that anger or worry. Appease can sound weaker or more negative, especially if you give in to someone’s demands.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- xoa dịu
- Spanish
- apaciguar
- Chinese
- 安抚
- Japanese
- なだめる
- Korean
- 달래다
Etymology
Mollify comes from Latin mollis, meaning "soft." It entered English through Old French in the late Middle English period. The original idea was to make something soft, and later it came to mean making feelings softer too.
Common phrases
mollify an angry customermollify someone's fearsmollify the crowd
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is mollify formal or informal?
- It is more formal than calm or soothe. You will see it more in writing, news, or business English.
- What is the difference between mollify and appease?
- Both mean to reduce anger, but appease often suggests giving in to someone.
- Can I use mollify in everyday conversation?
- Yes, but it may sound slightly formal. In daily speech, people often say calm down or reassure.