appeasement
C1Formal, often used in political, historical, and diplomatic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The act of making someone less angry or hostile by giving in to their demands, often at the cost of one's own principles or long-term stability.
A policy of pacifying an aggressive power through concessions, often to avoid conflict. Can also refer to the action of satisfying a need, demand, or feeling in a broader, less political context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term carries a strong negative connotation in modern political discourse, implying short-sighted, cowardly, or unethical capitulation. Its historical association with the failed pre-WWII policy towards Nazi Germany heavily colors its usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Identically negative in both, strongly linked to the 1938 Munich Agreement.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to the UK's central role in the 1930s appeasement policy, but common in AmE academic and political commentary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
appeasement of [aggressor/regime/power]appeasement towards [country/leader]appeasement by [government/party]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The road to war is paved with appeasement.”
- “Appeasement feeds the aggressor.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for 'giving in to unreasonable client demands to keep the peace'.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and international relations, analyzing diplomatic failures.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used to criticize perceived weakness in politics or personal situations (e.g., 'Giving him the car keys was just appeasement.').
Technical
Specific term in political history and international relations theory.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of trying to appease the dictator.
- They appeased the protestors with promises of a review.
American English
- The administration refused to appease the hostile regime.
- He appeased his hunger with a quick snack.
adverb
British English
- He nodded appeasingly, hoping the meeting would end soon.
- The government acted appeasingly in the face of threats.
American English
- She smiled appeasingly at the angry customer.
- They responded appeasingly to the ultimatum.
adjective
British English
- His appeasing tone did little to calm the furious backbenchers.
- The appeasement policy of the 1930s is widely condemned.
American English
- She took an appeasing stance, hoping to avoid a lawsuit.
- The appeasement strategy backfired spectacularly.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Giving the child more sweets was just appeasement and didn't solve the real problem.
- The boss's appeasement of the loudest employee upset the rest of the team.
- Historians argue that the policy of appeasement in the 1930s ultimately failed to prevent a larger war.
- The opposition leader accused the prime minister of appeasement for signing the trade deal.
- The diplomat warned against any appeasement of the expansionist power, drawing clear parallels to the pre-war era.
- His critique framed the new environmental regulations not as compromise but as craven appeasement of the fossil fuel lobby.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PEACE (sounds like 'peas' in appeasement) that is only achieved by giving a MEANT (intended) concession to a bully. It's a false peace.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEEDING A MONSTER (concessions make the aggressor grow stronger). PACIFYING A CRYING CHILD WITH SWEETS (short-term solution with bad long-term effects).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'умиротворение' (pacification, peacemaking) which is more neutral. 'Appeasement' is better translated as 'умиротворение агрессора' or 'политика уступок', carrying a critical tone.
- The Russian 'аппизмент' is a false friend and does not exist.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'appeasment' (missing the 'e').
- Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'His appeasement solved the problem' – this is stylistically marked and likely ironic).
- Confusing with 'appeal' or 'appearance'.
Practice
Quiz
In modern political discourse, the term 'appeasement' primarily carries what kind of connotation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern political and historical language, it is almost exclusively used negatively. It implies sacrificing principles or long-term security for short-term peace. In a broader, non-political sense (e.g., 'appeasing one's hunger'), it can be neutral.
The Western powers' policy towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s, culminating in the 1938 Munich Agreement where parts of Czechoslovakia were ceded to Hitler in an attempt to avoid war.
Yes, but it is critical. For example, 'You're just appeasing your noisy neighbour by complaining quietly' implies the action is weak and ineffective.
Appeasement is a one-sided concession to an aggressive or unreasonable demand, often seen as enabling further bad behaviour. Diplomacy is neutral, and compromise implies mutual concession between parties acting in good faith.
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