placation
Calming the angry
Placation is the act of calming or appeasing someone who is angry or upset.
Where *placate* is the verb, placation is the process or result: His attempts at placation only made her angrier.
The word suggests effort to soothe rather than genuine resolution—buying peace rather than addressing the underlying grievance.
Reducing distress or discomfort
- mollificationAct of calming anger
- pacificationRestoring calm after conflict
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- quietingMaking something still
gentling · defusing · cooling · settling · hushing · assuagement · allaying · tempering
Act of placating deity
- concessionYielding a point
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- submissionYielding to another's will
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
acquiescence · ingratiation · deference · yielding · kowtowing · groveling · olive branch · peace offering
Reduction of intensity
- mitigationReduction of severity
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- lesseningBecoming reduced in degree
- moderationAvoidance of excess
satisfaction · amends · reparation · redress · atonement · restitution · compensation · remedy
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
accord · settlement · agreement · detente · truce · treaty · peacemaking · arbitration
soothing
Reducing distress or discomfort
- mollificationAct of calming anger
- pacificationRestoring calm after conflict
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
quieting · gentling · defusing · cooling · settling · hushing · assuagement · allaying · tempering · softening
propitiation
Act of placating deity
- concessionYielding a point
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- submissionYielding to another's will
surrender · acquiescence · ingratiation · deference · yielding · kowtowing · groveling · olive branch · peace offering · backing down
alleviation
Reduction of intensity
- mitigationReduction of severity
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- lesseningBecoming reduced in degree
moderation · satisfaction · amends · reparation · redress · atonement · restitution · compensation · remedy · balm
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
dialogue · accord · settlement · agreement · detente · truce · treaty · peacemaking · arbitration · rapprochement
- de-escalationde-escalation, calming, defusing, pacification, mollification
- reliefrelief, phew, whew, ease, easing
- war diplomacytruce, peace treaty, peace deal, armistice, ceasefire
placationprovocation
Act that triggers response
aggravation · antagonism · incitement · irritation · agitation
placationconfrontation
Direct hostile encounter
escalation · provocation · defiance · aggression · belligerence