Unplacatable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Incapable of being mollified or tranquilized, it describes a person who remains continuously upset or dissatisfied, indicating someone who cannot be placated or soothed
2. Denoting an individual who cannot be appeased or comforted, it reflects a state of ongoing frustration or anger, suggesting an inability to reconcile with others
3. Describes someone who cannot be made peaceful or content no matter what is done

Etymology: "Unplacatable" is built from the prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "placatable," meaning able to be pacified or appeased. The root of "placatable" is the verb "placate," which comes from Latin "placare," meaning "to soothe, calm, or appease." That Latin verb is also the source of "placid," so the two words are close relatives sharing the same root idea of settling someone down. The combination follows a common English pattern: "un-" is widely attached to adjectives ending in "-able" to form their negative, so "unplacatable" literally means "not able to be calmed." Its meaning is therefore plain from its parts, and the word describes someone or something too angry or implacable to be soothed.

Synonyms: unyielding, implacable