propitiate Hear it!

propitiate Definition

pro·pi·ti·ate (prō pis̸h′ē āt′, prə-)

transitive verb -·at′ed, -·at′·ing

to cause to become favorably inclined; win or regain the good will of; appease or conciliate sacrifices made to propitiate the gods

Etymology: < L propitiatus, pp. of propitiare, to propitiate < propitius: see propitious

propitiate Related Forms

pro·pi′·ti·able (--ē ə bəl) adjective pro·pi′·tia′·tion noun pro·pi′·tia′·tor noun pro·pi′·tia·to′ry (--ē ə tôr′ē) adjective or pro·pi′·tia′·tive--ē āt′iv, --ē ə tiv

propitiate Synonyms

propitiate

v.

conciliate, appease, atone; see pacify 1, satisfy 1, 3. See syn. study at pacify.

propitiate Usage Examples

Object

  • god: There are undertones in that story of older blood sacrifices to propitiate the gods.
  • spirit: The ancient Tamils worshiped nature and set apart sanctified land to propitiate the tree spirits.
  • deity: Either they were thrown into the well to propitiate the deity, or to give thanks to him.
  • wrath: This doctrine says that Christ died on the cross for our sins and propitiated divine wrath that was directed at us because our sins.