soothe

verb

ˈsüt͟h 

soothed; soothing

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

soother noun

Synonyms of soothe

• reassure
• assure
• comfort

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

For another way to soothe the nervous system, the resort’s Fall Equinox Celebration will center around sound healing and self-care. — Kim Foley MacKinnon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Green tea extract, aloe vera, seaweed, and volcanic ash, which often help soothe the skin and deliver potent antioxidants. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Entertainment Some Graco swings are equipped with sound equipment for creating music and sounds that babies react to and often find soothing. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

For now, Khalil lives in Brooklyn, not far from Prospect Park, in a building with tall vases of flowers and soothing music in the lobby. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sothen to verify, from Old English sōthian, from sōth

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for soothe

• smooth
• sooth

Kids Definition

soothe

verb

ˈsüt͟h 

soothed; soothing

1

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

2

: alleviate, relieve

the lotion soothed his sunburn

3

: to bring comfort : calm down

music soothes the soul