appease him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appease him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of calming or pacifying someone, often to avoid conflict or to satisfy their demands. Example: "To avoid further arguments, she decided to appease him by agreeing to his requests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"You appease him.

The New York Times

How can we appease him?

The New York Times - Magazine

So Ms Yingluck's merely stepping down will not appease him or his supporters.

The Economist

Late in his Presidency, Bush summoned Reid to the White House and tried to appease him.

The New Yorker

Bates protested, but an editor's note two days later did nothing to appease him.

The New York Times

But to appease him, maybe he should have the final word.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

But appeasing him only ends up making the government look hapless.

The Economist

She appeased him with a straight style on her wedding day last November.

The New York Times

The underlying truth then was that there was no point in appeasing Hitler because there was no possibility of appeasing him.

The New Yorker

In the past I've appeased him with my explanation that I want to find someone who is going to be a really great dad for him.

The New York Times

Some countries appeased him with a public holiday; others, like Britain and Ireland, preferred to confuse him with the first Monday of the month.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appease him", consider the motivations behind the actions taken to appease. Ensure that the actions align with ethical standards and do not compromise important principles.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on appeasement as a long-term strategy. While it can provide temporary relief, it may not address the root cause of conflicts and could lead to further demands or exploitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appease him" functions as a verb phrase where "appease" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object, and "him" serves as that object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appease him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the act of pacifying or satisfying someone, typically to avoid conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears across diverse sources like news articles, encyclopedias, and general writing. While effective in short-term conflict resolution, remember that long-term reliance on appeasement without addressing root causes can be detrimental. Alternatives such as "placate him", "propitiate him", or "satisfy him" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placate him

Focuses on reducing someone's anger or dissatisfaction, often by making concessions.

mollify him

Suggests softening someone's stance or feelings, often through gentle persuasion.

propitiate him

Implies attempting to gain favor through offerings or gestures, often in a religious or formal context.

conciliate him

Emphasizes restoring harmony or goodwill, often after a dispute.

soothe him

Implies calming or comforting someone, often by addressing their anxieties or fears.

satisfy him

Focuses on fulfilling someone's needs or desires, which may lead to contentment.

win him over

Suggests persuading someone to support or agree with you, often through charm or argument.

keep him happy

Highlights the ongoing effort to maintain someone's positive mood or disposition.

pander to him

Indicates catering to someone's desires, often excessively or inappropriately.

yield to him

Focuses on accepting his will or demands.

FAQs

How can I use "appease him" in a sentence?

You can use "appease him" to describe actions taken to pacify or satisfy someone, often to avoid conflict or gain favor. For example: "The company offered a bonus to "appease him" after the project delay."

What are some alternatives to "appease him"?

Alternatives to "appease him" include "placate him", "mollify him", "propitiate him" or "soothe him", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is "appease him" the same as "satisfy him"?

While both phrases involve fulfilling someone's desires, "appease him" often implies doing so to avoid negative consequences or conflict, whereas "satisfy him" simply means meeting his needs or expectations.

When is it not appropriate to use "appease him"?

Using "appease him" might be inappropriate when the actions taken compromise ethical principles or enable harmful behavior. In such cases, addressing the underlying issue directly is more effective than trying to "appease him".