To mollify is a verb meaning to ease the anger of someone, to pacify them or to soften their attitude. During an argument one party may try to mollify the other by making a concession or agreeing to a point in contention between them. A little oil may be poured on troubled waters. A crowd of angry protesters could be mollified by a conciliatory speech. An angry author could be mollified by a tactful copy-editor who, while praising the brilliance of the book, points out a few structural problems.
The original meaning of mollify was to soften (Latin mollis meaning soft). This usage has disappeared except in the figurative or metaphorical sense, however. (Anger may be softened.)
No kind of mollification
When proofreading or copy-editing take care with the spelling and note that the noun form of mollify is mollification. Thus, mollification of the rabble might be achieved through careful argument. This is an abstract noun, of course.
Someone cannot be mollified through force. Force might subdue a crowd, but does not mollify it.
Sometimes (not always) mollify can be used negatively when the implication is that someone is being cajoled or soft-soaped into a retreat. It won’t last!