propitiatory
/propitiatory/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Intended to reconcile or appease: Describes an action, offering, or gesture meant to regain someone's favor or goodwill, especially after causing offense or to prevent anger.
- Having power to atone or offered as expiation: Describes something that serves to make amends for a wrong or sin, often in a religious or formal context.
Usage and Examples
General Usage:
- He sent a propitiatory gift to his neighbor after the argument. (The gift was intended to appease the neighbor.)
- The diplomat's propitiatory remarks helped to ease the tensions between the two countries. (The remarks were meant to reconcile the parties.)
Religious/Formal Context:
- In ancient rituals, a propitiatory sacrifice was offered to the gods. (The sacrifice was made to atone for sins or seek favor.)
- The ceremony included propitiatory rites to ward off misfortune. (The rites were performed to appease spiritual forces.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
Propitiatory vs. Expiatory: While often used interchangeably, "expiatory" more strongly emphasizes making amends for a wrong (atonement), whereas "propitiatory" emphasizes appeasing or pacifying someone's anger or displeasure.
- An expiatory sacrifice focuses on cleansing guilt; a propitiatory sacrifice focuses on calming a deity's wrath.
Formal Tone: The word is primarily used in formal, literary, or academic writing, particularly in discussions of diplomacy, religion, psychology, or conflict resolution.
Variants and Related Words
- Propitiator (noun): A person who makes propitiatory gestures or offerings.
- He acted as the propitiator in the family dispute.
- Propitiatorily (adverb): In a propitiatory manner.
- He smiled propitiatorily, hoping to defuse the situation.
Synonyms
- Conciliatory: Intended to placate or reconcile.
- Appeasing: Aimed at pacifying or calming.
- Placatory: Serving to make someone less angry or hostile.
- Pacifying: Having the effect of calming or soothing.
Antonyms
- Provocative: Causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction.
- Antagonistic: Showing or feeling active opposition.
- Inflammatory: Arousing or intended to arouse angry or violent feelings.
Idioms and Phrases
- Propitiatory gesture/offering: A specific act meant to appease.
- Bringing dessert was her propitiatory gesture for being late.
- In a propitiatory spirit/manner: Acting with the intent to reconcile.
- He approached the negotiation in a propitiatory spirit, seeking common ground.
Adjective
- intended to reconcile or appease
- sent flowers as a propitiatory gesture
- having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
- expiatory (or propitiatory) sacrifice