To make to be at peace; to appease; to calm; to still; to quiet; to allay the agitation, excitement, or resentment of; to tranquillize; as, to pacify a man when angry; to pacify pride, appetite, or importunity
If the army or the police pacify a group of people, they use force to overcome their resistance or protests. Government forces have found it difficult to pacify the rebels + pacification paci·fi·ca·tion the pacification of the country
If you pacify someone who is angry, upset, or not pleased, you succeed in making them calm or pleased. Is this a serious step, or is this just something to pacify the critics? = placate