What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stilled
Example
The wind stilled, and the leaves stopped rustling. [stilled: past tense]
Example
The baby's crying stilled as soon as she was picked up. [stilled: verb]
pacified
Example
The teacher pacified the students by promising to address their concerns. [pacified: past tense]
Example
The police were able to pacify the rioters and restore order. [pacify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pacified is more commonly used than stilled in everyday language. Pacified is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stilled is less common and refers to a specific absence of movement or sound.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stilled and pacified?
Both stilled and pacified are formal words that can be used in various contexts, including academic writing, literature, and journalism.