placation
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity: "Placation" refers to the action or process of making someone less angry, hostile, or anxious, often by making concessions or using soothing words to restore goodwill.
Usage
- "Placation" is a formal noun used to describe the specific action of appeasing someone. It focuses on the effort to calm a person or group and reduce conflict.
- It is often used in contexts involving diplomacy, conflict resolution, management, or personal relationships where there is a need to ease tension.
Examples
- The manager's immediate placation of the upset customer prevented the complaint from escalating.
- The treaty was seen less as a victory and more as a necessary placation of the neighboring empire.
- Her apology was a sincere attempt at placation after the misunderstanding.
Advanced Usage
- As a strategic goal: In politics or business, placation can be a deliberate strategy to maintain stability.
- The policy of appeasement was criticized as mere placation that failed to address the core aggression.
- In psychological contexts: Refers to actions intended to reduce another's anxiety or distress.
- The therapist noted the parent's constant placation of the child's every demand was counterproductive.
Variants and Related Words
- Placate (verb): To make someone less angry or hostile.
- He tried to placate the critics with a public statement.
- Placatory (adjective): Intended to make someone less angry or hostile; appeasing.
- She offered a placatory smile.
- Appeasement (noun): The action of pleasing someone by giving in to their demands, which is a close concept but can have a more negative connotation of yielding to aggression.
Synonyms
- Appeasement: The act of satisfying demands to maintain peace (often in a political context).
- Conciliation: The action of stopping someone from being angry or discontented.
- Propitation: The action of appeasing a god, spirit, or person.
- Mollification: The act of reducing someone's anger or anxiety.
Antonyms
- Provocation: Action or speech that makes someone angry, especially deliberately.
- Agitation: A state of anxiety or nervous excitement; the action of stirring up public concern.
- Antagonism: Active hostility or opposition.
Noun
- the act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity