Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to propitiate

to propitiate

1 9.9
To do something that makes a person or spirit less angry and more friendly
  • verb
  • /prəˈpɪʃiˌeɪt/
  • Formal
translation icon : propiciar
  • And the same model is extended to the supernatural world: the gods must be propitiated with offerings of ritual gifts, and thus reminded of their dependence upon and obligations to mortal people.
  • propitiate the ancestors
  • propitiate the spirits
  • propitiate a god

Examples

  • Another reaction was one of mass repentance to propitiate an angry divinity.

  • Peasants also consumed game in larger amounts at important social occasions and at rituals propitiating the ancestor spirits.

    Academic text (2005)

  • If there was doubt, it was better to play it safe and propitiate any spirits that might be in the vicinity.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • During the evening dances, they are propitiated with gifts of food and alcohol.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Like Agamemnon, he is ready to sacrifice his daughter's body to propitiate a god whose favor he needs.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Through merrymaking, the Irish hoped to propitiate the mischievous spirits of the "other world" and to prevent their re-entry into this world.

    Academic text (1990)

  • At the beginning of the festival, Vodun spirits were propitiated to ensure its success, as they are for almost every endeavor in Ouidah.

    Academic text (2001)

  • A village with a guardian spirit is likely to have a ceremony that propitiates the spirit, drives out misfortune, and protects the villagers who participate.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Finally, the brothers consulted a diviner, who told them that propitiating the djinn would require a very difficult sacrifice, but he refused to elaborate.

    Academic text (2006)

  • To propitiate the angry spirits, the villagers offered sacrifices at the sacred grove.

Synonyms

to appease
vsto propitiate
48 5.8

To calm someone by giving in to their demands

aims to win back favour by pleasing people or spirits, not by conceding
to placate
vsto propitiate
28 7.0

To make someone less angry by saying or doing something kind

seeks to regain favour from people or spirits by pleasing them, not only calming anger

Antonyms

to offend
524 2.8

Cause a person to feel hurt, upset and angry because of your words or actions

to alienate
123 6.7

To make someone feel alone and lose support from others

How Appeasing

to propitiate
  • Formal
1 9.9
to appease
48 5.8
to placate
28 7.0
to mollify
8 7.2
to soothe
63 3.4

Surface Forms

propitiate infinitive
propitiated past
propitiated past participle
propitiating present participle
propitiates third person singular

Etymology

The word propitiate comes from the Latin word propitius, which means 'favorable' or 'pleasing' and is the same root as English propitious. So to propitiate someone is to make them feel 'favorable' toward you — to please or calm them and win their 'favor'.