soothe

verb

\ ˈsüt͟h

soothed; soothing

Definition of soothe

transitive verb

1 : to please by or as if by attention or concern : placate

2 : relieve, alleviate soothe a cough

3 : to bring comfort, solace, or reassurance to music soothes the soul

intransitive verb

: to bring peace, composure, or quietude

Other Words from soothe Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about soothe

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Examples of soothe in a Sentence

The waiter tried to soothe the angry customer. This cream soothes aching muscles. Her nerves were soothed by a warm bath. Nothing can soothe their pain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thomas takes a similar approach, priding herself on being a profound listener, offering sessions that are multidisciplinary in approach, helping the mother-to-be connect deeper with her intuition and her baby, while soothing the nervous system. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "6 Ways a Doula Can Transform the Birthing Process for Moms-to-Be," 30 Apr. 2019 My newfound interest is in many ways uncomplicated: routine is soothing in chaotic times. — Rachel Vorona Cote, SELF, "Why I Embraced Skin Care After My Mother's Death," 18 Apr. 2019 It's infused with soothing oatmeal and scored points among our testers with sensitive skin. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Use Spray Sunscreen the Right Way, According to Dermatologists," 15 Feb. 2019 Pure aloe vera gel — whether out of a bottle or straight from the plant — contains cooling and soothing properties. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of a Sunburn ASAP," 16 Apr. 2019 Meanwhile, a soothing Ayurvedic massage will reboot body and mind, and a microdermabrasion, laser-toning, and chemical-peeling facial (favored by Angelina Jolie) promises to turn back the clock. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "10 Decadent Beauty Splurges Worthy of Your Tax Return, According to Vogue Editors," 10 Apr. 2019 The cream features hyaluronic acid, arginine, and vitamin E to help soften the texture of uneven skin, while the serum, packed with essential fatty acids, has a soothing effect on the physical discomfort stretch marks can sometimes cause. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Loey Lane's New Brand Love AnyBody Launches Affordable Body-Care Products at Target," 4 Apr. 2019 Aqua octagonal tiles create a soothing tone in the entryway, pistachio velvet sofas add warmth to the living room and a merlot backsplash in the kitchen acts as a pop of interest. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Reath Design Crafts a Bright, Elegant Home for a Young Family," 22 Mar. 2019 The architects designed the home with a soothing neutral palette that starts on the outside with a light gray resin facade and steel roof. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Modern home offers understated indoor-outdoor living," 26 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'soothe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near soothe

Statistics for soothe

Last Updated

8 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for soothe

The first known use of soothe was in 1617

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More Definitions for soothe

soothe

verb

English Language Learners Definition of soothe

: to cause (someone) to be calmer, less angry, etc.

: to cause (a part of the body) to feel better

: to cause (pain) to go away or become less severe

See the full definition for soothe in the English Language Learners Dictionary

soothe

verb

\ ˈsüt͟h

soothed; soothing

Kids Definition of soothe

1 : to please by praise or attention The waiter tried to soothe the angry customer.

2 : relieve sense 1 Lotion will soothe your sunburn.

3 : to calm down : comfort Papa was trying to soothe Mama, who was wheezing heavily from asthma and excitement.— George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square