What does it mean to appease someone’s anger or anxiety?

To mollify someone means to soothe or calm their anger or anxiety. When someone is upset, taking steps to mollify them involves actions or words intended to reduce their distress or frustration. This can signify offering reassurances, apologizing, or providing compensation—anything that might lessen their negative emotions.

In contrast, phrases like exacerbate indicate making a situation worse, while ignite or stir would imply escalating feelings or tensions, not calming them. Thus, the key distinction lies in the intent to reduce discomfort, which is at the core of mollifying someone's emotional state.