What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
placated
Example
The manager placated the customer by offering a refund. [placated: verb]
Example
She was placated by his apology and promise to fix the issue. [placated: past participle]
soothe
Example
The mother soothed her crying baby by rocking him gently. [soothed: verb]
Example
The warm bath helped soothe her sore muscles. [soothe: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Soothe is more commonly used than placate in everyday language. Soothe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while placate is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between placated and soothe?
Both placate and soothe can be used in formal and informal contexts, but placate may be perceived as more formal due to its less common usage and more specific connotations.
