What does it mean to 'placate' someone?

To 'placate' someone means to appease or soothe them, often in response to a conflict or a situation where they may be upset. The term comes from the idea of calming someone down or mitigating their anger or frustration. When you placate someone, you take actions or make gestures that are intended to reassure or comfort them, which can involve listening to their concerns or offering concessions. This is why 'to appease or soothe' is the correct interpretation of the word.

The other options present meanings that are contrary to what 'placate' implies. For example, to aggravate or annoy involves making someone more upset, which is the opposite of calming them down. Likewise, to punish or scold involves a negative action that would intensify a person's distress rather than alleviate it. Lastly, to excite or stimulate suggests creating heightened emotions or enthusiasm, which is not aligned with the calming effect that 'placate' conveys.