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Beschwichtigung

appeasement, placation, soothing words

noun be-SHVIKH-ti-goong Rare
Communication Speech

Usage Note

Beschwichtigung (f) refers to the act of calming or appeasing someone, especially through words. In political contexts it can be pejorative, implying empty reassurances: 'Das ist nur Beschwichtigung' (That is mere appeasement) — a charge often levelled at politicians who talk without acting.

Examples

"Die Beschwichtigungen der Regierung wirkten angesichts der harten Fakten wenig glaubwürdig."

Natural Translation

The government's soothing words seemed hardly credible in the face of the hard facts.

Literal Translation

The appeasements of-the government seemed in-view-of the hard facts little credible.

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