Which word means to conciliate; to appease?

• A. Placate
• B. Prudence
• C. Proliferate
• D. Propitiate

Answer: (D)

Conciliating or appeasing someone is about winning their goodwill or restoring harmony. Propitiate captures this sense most precisely. It means to win or regain favor, often by pleasing or appeasing someone, and it’s commonly used in contexts where explaining or appeasing a person or deity is involved. That stronger sense of seeking favorable treatment or averting anger fits the idea of conciliation best.

Placate also means to appease, but it tends to emphasize calming someone’s anger in the moment rather than earning lasting goodwill. The other two words don’t fit at all: prudence is about careful judgment, and proliferate means to multiply rapidly.

So, propitiate is the best match for to conciliate; to appease. For example, rituals or offerings can be used to propitiate the gods, aiming to win their favor.