conciliatory

What does “conciliatory” mean?

adjective.intended or likely to placate or pacify.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in contexts involving conflict resolution, diplomacy, or interpersonal relationships. It emphasizes an approach aimed at restoring harmony or goodwill, highlighting the proactive effort to reduce tensions, which distinguishes it from words like "appeasement," which may imply yielding to demands rather than fostering understanding.

Common Confusions

Conciliatory implies a proactive effort to restore harmony, while appeasement usually suggests yielding to demands without addressing underlying issues.

Example Sentences

• The mayor used a conciliatory tone in the press conference.

• The situation was conciliatory to previous cases they had handled.

Word Parts: How to Remember “conciliatory”

Break “conciliatory” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)