kowtow

In lang=en terms the difference between placate and kowtow

is that placate is to calm; to bring peace to; to influence someone who was furious to the point that he or she becomes content or at least no longer irate while kowtow is to bow very deeply.

As verbs the difference between placate and kowtow

is that placate is to calm; to bring peace to; to influence someone who was furious to the point that he or she becomes content or at least no longer irate while kowtow is to kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.

As a noun kowtow is

the act of kowtowing.