To pacify means to calm someone down or make a situation peaceful. When a crying baby finally stops fussing after being rocked and soothed, the parent has pacified the baby. When two friends are arguing and a third friend helps them work things out so everyone relaxes, that friend has helped pacify the situation.

The word means actually reducing anger, fear, or upset feelings and restoring peace, not just creating temporary quiet. A teacher might pacify an anxious student before a big presentation by offering encouragement. A big sister might pacify her little brother after he scrapes his knee by getting him a bandage and his favorite toy.

Sometimes people use pacify when describing how governments restore order to regions experiencing conflict or unrest. But the word works just as well for everyday situations: you might pacify your worried parents by calling them when you arrive safely at your friend's house.

A pacifier is something many babies use to calm themselves, which shows how the word connects to soothing and comfort. When you pacify someone, you're helping transform their distress into calm.