Word
appease
Phoneticsap·pease, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpiz/
UK/ɐpˈiːz/
Definitions
01to satisfy demands
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to give someone what they want so they stop being angry or causing trouble.
v. to pacify or placate a person or group by making concessions or meeting their demands.
“The company tried to appease the angry customers by offering them a full refund.”
“The government's attempts to appease the protesters with minor reforms failed to address the underlying economic grievances.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, usually a person, group, or emotion.
02to satisfy a feeling
C2 · Proficiency Literary
v. to satisfy a strong feeling like hunger, curiosity, or anger.
v. to satisfy or relieve a physical or emotional need or desire.
“He ate a small snack just to appease his hunger until dinner.”
“The explorer ventured into the uncharted jungle, driven by a lifelong need to appease his curiosity about ancient civilisations.”
Usage
Often used with abstract nouns like hunger, curiosity, or guilt.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“To appease children unaccustomed to spicy Indian food, Digvijaysinhji recruited and trained local cooks to prepare milder fare.” “Bragg said voters needed “ambitious policy for tomorrow, not micro-announcements for today that aim to please and appease”.” Etymology
From Middle English apesen, from Old French apeser (“to pacify, bring to peace”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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