Standard Lemma guide

placative

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /pləˈkeɪtɪv/
  • rhymes with -eɪtɪv

1

adj

Meaning 1

That placates; pacifying.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

intended to pacify by acceding to demands or granting concessions

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the appeasing concessions to the Nazis at Munich
  • placating (or placative) gestures
  • an astonishingly placatory speech

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: appeasing(a), placating, placatory

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From placate + -ive. False cognate with German plakativ.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: омиротворяващ (omirotvorjavašt) — That placates; pacifying
  • German: versöhnlich — That placates; pacifying
  • Russian: умиротворяющий (umirotvorjajuščij) — That placates; pacifying
  • Russian: успока́ивающий (uspokáivajuščij) — That placates; pacifying