Which term means to overcome or placate someone's anger or resentment?

The term "propitiate" refers to the act of appeasing or pacifying someone who is angry or resentful. This word derives from Latin roots that combine notions of favor and goodwill, indicating the effort made to win back someone's affections or to mitigate negative feelings. In various contexts, propitiating someone might involve making amends, offering something in return, or performing an action intended to soothe the offended party's feelings.

The other terms do not carry this specific connotation of appeasing anger or resentment. For instance, "wheedle" means to persuade someone to do something through flattery or coaxing, which does not directly address overcoming anger. "Virago" refers to a strong, assertive woman, often in an aggressive or combative sense, and is unrelated to the concept of placating someone. "Vitiate" means to impair or weaken the effectiveness of something, typically used in a context that does not involve emotional states, making it irrelevant in this context.