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

Take a look at the ingredients list for lightweight oils and butters, soothing aloe vera, and hydrating ceramides. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 May 2026

Warm them in the microwave or cool them in the freezer for soothing multi-sensory relief. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 18 May 2026

However, the cleanser is packed with powerful ingredients that soothe, protect, and hydrate the skin. —Claire West, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026

That's right—even the sprayer in your at-home spa needs to be cleaned from time to time to remove an excess of buildup that can change the way your soothing shower feels. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 May 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