as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a calming glass of warm milk
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in soothing
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in lulling
to free from distress or disturbance
the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of
he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy
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Recent Examples of calming
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Some people are looking for something social; others want something functional and calming.
—Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
With the former sitting at a prestige price point and the latter no longer on shelves, many fragrance fans have been left searching for new ways to get their fix of the calming, slightly creamy green tea note.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Scheider is usually the calming referee, especially important when interchanges between the other two threaten to get physical.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
From hidden storage to natural materials, here are a few design strategies that experts recommend for a cleaner, more calming room.
—Adrienne Jordan, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
The lack of spoken words gives it a calming, quietly intense quality.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
In the brain, glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and affects NMDA receptors, which promote a calming, sleep-friendly state of mind.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
Consistency can provide calming visuals, but Wells advises steering clear of perfection.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026
It’s made with 96% snail secretion filtrate, a humectant-rich ingredient known for calming irritation, fading post-acne marks, and supporting skin repair.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
The calming midfield presence missed the last three games with a dead leg following a setback in rehab that cost him a call-up to the Canadian national team this window.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Designer Paulo Lobo is responsible for the beautiful interiors; rooms are pared back and spacious in calming neutral tones.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Designed with an emphasis on minimalism and organic elements, the architecture blends stone, timber, and handmade paper to create a calming yet warm environment that invites the surrounding landscape indoors.
—Kelsey Eisen, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Burman said that the highway was going to be resurfaced from Balagio Ristorante to the viaduct, reducing it from two lanes going either direction to one lane going each direction and a central turn lane as a traffic calming measure.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
When cooking becomes calming, nutrition therapist Kim Shapira, RD, describes it as a shift into a different mental state.
—Michelle Beadle Holder, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026
Her paintings can be calming to one and all consuming to another, and her compositions encourage viewers to pause and question.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The whole vibe is so considered and so calming.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Some people are looking for something social; others want something functional and calming.
—Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
With the former sitting at a prestige price point and the latter no longer on shelves, many fragrance fans have been left searching for new ways to get their fix of the calming, slightly creamy green tea note.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Scheider is usually the calming referee, especially important when interchanges between the other two threaten to get physical.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
From hidden storage to natural materials, here are a few design strategies that experts recommend for a cleaner, more calming room.
—Adrienne Jordan, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
The lack of spoken words gives it a calming, quietly intense quality.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
In the brain, glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and affects NMDA receptors, which promote a calming, sleep-friendly state of mind.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
Consistency can provide calming visuals, but Wells advises steering clear of perfection.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
There is self-regulation going on in the initial stages of spiritual development, and this is where calming does come into play.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Details like the wrought iron bed frame, small olive trees indoors, and sea foam bedding only heighten the appeal of this quiet, calming retreat.
—Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026
It’s made with 96% snail secretion filtrate, a humectant-rich ingredient known for calming irritation, fading post-acne marks, and supporting skin repair.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
The calming midfield presence missed the last three games with a dead leg following a setback in rehab that cost him a call-up to the Canadian national team this window.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Designer Paulo Lobo is responsible for the beautiful interiors; rooms are pared back and spacious in calming neutral tones.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Designed with an emphasis on minimalism and organic elements, the architecture blends stone, timber, and handmade paper to create a calming yet warm environment that invites the surrounding landscape indoors.
—Kelsey Eisen, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Burman said that the highway was going to be resurfaced from Balagio Ristorante to the viaduct, reducing it from two lanes going either direction to one lane going each direction and a central turn lane as a traffic calming measure.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
When cooking becomes calming, nutrition therapist Kim Shapira, RD, describes it as a shift into a different mental state.
—Michelle Beadle Holder, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026
Her paintings can be calming to one and all consuming to another, and her compositions encourage viewers to pause and question.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calming
Adjective
-
Others use kratom to self-treat chronic pain, to get a relaxing high or to self-treat mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
And for me, there’s no better detour in Europe than visiting a public bath or spa for a relaxing, good soak.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This Burt’s Bees set has six travel-sized mani-pedi essentials, including a soothing foot cream and buttery hand salve that protects dry, chapped skin.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
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Combining a sound machine with a comfortable bedroom setup can mimic the soothing experience of being outdoors in a safe, dry tent during a rainstorm, providing both comfort and sensory grounding, according to Gorovoy.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Police found a small plastic bag containing crystal powder residue that officers suspected was meth or cocaine, according to an affidavit, the Los Angeles Times reported.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Workers discovered a grave containing human remains beneath tiles after part of the floor of St Peter and Paul Church subsided in February, triggering a race to identify the skeleton through DNA testing.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Glamp or camp under the starry skies with Lake Superior's waves lulling you to sleep at Grand Marais Recreation Area or Pincushion Mountain Haus.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
25 Jan. 2026
-
While Boyle’s iPhone camera rigs zipped and zoomed around the landscape with an almost game-like mobility, Bobbitt’s camera shakes with zombie rage and then stills, lulling us in and out of violence and peace.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The video depicted fingers on a MIDI keyboard, turning knobs, pushing buttons and supposedly composing the song in real time.—
Sam Davies,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One of the key lessons UConn’s veterans took from last year’s championship run was the importance of focus, of quieting the noise that surrounds the bracket and the program’s unmatched legacy of success.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Kimmel quotes from one popular manual, published in 1916, that advised quieting a crying baby by flipping it over and administering a vigorous spanking.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calming. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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