# appeasement

/əˈpizmənt/ (US) · /ɐpˈiːzmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/appeasement
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the act of giving in to someone's demands to avoid a fight or war. It is often used to describe how countries try to keep the peace by giving up some of their power.

For teachers: the act of satisfying a person or nation's demands in order to avoid conflict. Often carries a pejorative connotation, implying that the concessions made will not prevent future aggression.

## Examples

- The government tried appeasement to avoid another war.
- Historians often debate whether appeasement was a legitimate strategy or a failure to stand up to aggression.
- The policy of appeasement in the 1930s is frequently cited as a cautionary tale of how diplomatic concessions can be interpreted as a sign of weakness rather than a commitment to peace.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.