pacify
PAS-uh-fyeverbMeaning to calm someone down or bring peace to a place
Memory hook a PACIFIER makes PEACE. A baby’s pacifier is named for what it does: pop it in, the crying stops, and peace returns. It helps pacify the baby.
Rocking the cradle slowly was the only way to pacify the fussy baby.
In context When the two neighbors began shouting over the fallen tree, Mrs. Ruiz stepped in to pacify them, offering to split the cost of hauling it away.
Similar appease, placate, soothe, mollify
Opposite agitate, provoke, enrage, inflame
From Latin pacificare, “to make peace,” from pax (peace).