Placated

Placated is the past participle and past tense form of placate. The verb placate means to appease or pacify someone who is upset or agitated by offering concessions, assurances, or conciliatory actions. Used as an adjective, placated describes a person or situation that has been soothed or calmed: The spokesperson delivered a placated response after the protest.

Originating from Latin placatus, the past participle of placare “to please, soothe” and placere “to please,” the word entered English via Old French and Early Modern usage in the 17th century.

Placation can be effective in reducing immediate tension, but it may be temporary if the underlying causes are not addressed. In politics and business, placating gestures—promises, apologies, or concessions—are often criticized as insincere or manipulative when they fail to yield substantive change.

Related terms include placate (verb), placation (noun), and placatory or placative (adjective). Antonyms include inflame, irritate, and provoke. See also appeasement and reconciliation.