What does appeased mean?
Appeased is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'appease', meaning to pacify someone — typically an angry person, group, or adversary — by granting their demands or otherwise calming them, or to satisfy a physical appetite such as hunger or thirst. The word is most famously associated with political 'appeasement', particularly the 1938 Munich Agreement, where Britain and France conceded to Nazi Germany in hopes of avoiding war; this history has given the word a lasting negative connotation, suggesting weakness or the dangerous postponement of conflict. Yet in ordinary contexts the term is neutral: a meal appeases hunger, a gift may appease a disgruntled customer, and a compromise may appease opposing factions. Synonyms include pacified, placated, mollified, and conciliated. Derived forms include the noun 'appeasement' and the adjective 'appeasable'. Understanding 'appeased' illuminates both everyday negotiation and one of the most debated strategies in modern diplomatic history.
verb (past tense and past participle of 'appease')Appeased means to have pacified or placated someone by acceding to their demands, or to have soothed a hunger, thirst, or other appetite. It describes the act of bringing calm through concession or satisfaction.
- To pacify or placate someone, especially by yielding to or satisfying their demands.
- To satisfy or allay a hunger, thirst, or other appetite or desire.
"The king appeased the rebellious nobles by granting them greater lands and privileges."
"Neville Chamberlain believed he had appeased Hitler with the concessions made at Munich."
"A hearty bowl of stew appeased their hunger after the long hike."
The word behind 'appeasement' — the policy of conceding to Hitler at Munich in 1938 — became so tainted that it forever changed how we talk about giving in to aggressors.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of appeased
Appeased derives from the Old French verb 'apeiser' (to pacify), which itself stems from Latin 'pax' (peace) via Vulgar Latin *paxisse, meaning to make peace. The English verb 'appease' entered the language from Anglo-Norman and Old French around the late medieval period, with early attestations from the 15th century onward. It shares its root with related words denoting peace and calm, including 'pacific'.
Related word forms
How appeased is actually used
As the past form of 'appease', it carries a connotation of yielding — often with a negative implication that peace was bought at the cost of principle, especially in political contexts ('appeasement'). In everyday use it can be neutral, as in appeasing hunger.
Easily confused with appeased
'Appeal' means to make a serious request or attract interest, while 'appeased' means having pacified someone or satisfied a demand.