Propitiate

To Propitiate means to appease, conciliate, or make amends for something, often to someone who is angered or offended. It involves taking actions to regain favor or goodwill, usually through offering something desired or showing respect. The intent is to soothe or satisfy a person, deity, power, or principle, often with the aim of preventing further harm, misfortune, or disapproval. The process of propitiation usually involves some form of sacrifice, offering, or humble act. It is about mending a relationship damaged by offense, wrongdoing, or a perceived transgression. The focus is on addressing the source of the displeasure and creating a more favorable outcome or situation. This may involve an apology, a gift, a specific ritual, or a change in behavior.

Propitiate meaning with examples

• After the public outcry over the scandal, the CEO issued a sincere apology and pledged to donate a significant sum to a charity, hoping to Propitiate the offended shareholders and regain their trust. This public act was an attempt to show remorse and rebuild the company’s reputation and the trust of its investors in the wake of a major corporate scandal.
• The ancient tribe performed an elaborate ceremony, offering valuable gifts to the mountain god, hoping to Propitiate the deity and ensure a bountiful harvest. They offered these precious gifts to the mountain god out of respect, fearing the wrath of nature's fury and hoped to prevent future disasters and receive his blessings.
• The negotiator attempted to Propitiate the hostile nation by offering concessions and promising future collaboration, recognizing that appeasement might prevent war. They hoped to satisfy them to avoid bloodshed, by offering the concessions, while establishing a framework to prevent a future conflict and find long-term mutual agreements.
• Fearing her mother's anger after breaking a cherished vase, the daughter offered to clean the entire house, hoping to Propitiate her mother and avoid punishment. Hoping the task would repair the damage, as the small effort on her part would be a great value. It would also allow the mother to reconsider her punishment and hopefully avoid any consequence.
• The student, aware of her teacher's displeasure regarding her missed assignments, brought a homemade cake as a gesture to Propitiate the teacher and earn a better grade. The cake, while symbolic, provided an attempt to earn goodwill and create a positive impression to repair her grade and encourage a better teaching experience.