soothing

adjective

sooth·​ing ˈsü-t͟hiŋ 

: tending to soothe

also : having a sedative effect

soothing syrup

soothingly adverb

soothingness noun

Synonyms

• relaxing
• comforting
• tranquilizing
• tranquillizing

Examples of soothing in a Sentence

The music had a soothing effect on the baby.

the soothing music eventually put the entire yoga class in the proper mood

Recent Examples on the Web

They’re placed on or next to the body and struck with a mallet to release a calming vibration and mellifluous tone that eases muscles, sparking an immediately soothing effect on the nervous system and improving synaptic responses in the brain. —Terry Elward, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Whatever the manifestation—hair-tucking, shorts-pulling, ball-bouncing, bobbing, pocket-checking, or something else entirely—the familiarity of these motions can have a soothing effect, calming the player’s nerves before a big shot. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025

Rana forces herself to create a soothing, familial tone. —Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025

The Office fans might find this generic workplace comedy soothing. —Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soothing

• making soothing/reassuring noises

Rhymes for soothing

• smoothing

Kids Definition

soothing

adjective

sooth·​ing

ˈsü-t͟hiŋ

: tending to soothe

soothing sounds