What does the word mollify imply?

The word "mollify" implies the action of soothing or softening someone’s feelings or emotions. Typically, it is used in contexts where there is a need to calm an upset person or alleviate tension in a situation. The origin of the word can be traced back to Latin, where it means "to soften," which captures its essence of making something less severe or more manageable.

In many contexts, such as in conflict resolution or interpersonal communication, mollifying someone involves reducing their anger or anxiety, effectively diffusing a potentially volatile situation. This aligns perfectly with the idea of soothing, making "to soothe or soften" the correct interpretation of the term.