What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tranquilize
Example
The veterinarian tranquilized the wild animal before performing the surgery. [tranquilized: past tense verb]
Example
The doctor prescribed medication to tranquilize the patient's anxiety. [tranquilize: infinitive verb]
pacify
Example
The mother tried to pacify her crying baby by rocking him gently. [pacify: verb]
Example
The government sent troops to pacify the rebellious region. [pacify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pacify is more commonly used than tranquilize in everyday language. Pacify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tranquilize is less common and refers to a specific type of calming involving medication or sedation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tranquilize and pacify?
Both tranquilize and pacify are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic settings. However, pacify can also be used in informal contexts, while tranquilize is less versatile and is primarily used in medical or veterinary contexts.