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
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
The spa also feels high-end without being intimidating—my facialist answered all my questions while providing a calming, nearly ASMR experience.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 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
Make Minimalism Your Own For some people, blank white walls are a calming and relaxing sight.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Before bed, limit exposure to bright screens and establish a calming bedtime routine, which can significantly improve your sleep quality, especially for older adults, Wetter adds.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Multiple people compared the snakes to weighted blankets, providing a firm, calming pressure.
—Deena Prichep, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026
One popular way to do this is to add a calming activity to your nightly wind-down routine.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
The spa also feels high-end without being intimidating—my facialist answered all my questions while providing a calming, nearly ASMR experience.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 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
Make Minimalism Your Own For some people, blank white walls are a calming and relaxing sight.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 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
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
Before bed, limit exposure to bright screens and establish a calming bedtime routine, which can significantly improve your sleep quality, especially for older adults, Wetter adds.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Multiple people compared the snakes to weighted blankets, providing a firm, calming pressure.
—Deena Prichep, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026
One popular way to do this is to add a calming activity to your nightly wind-down routine.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calming
Adjective
-
This property in Madrid feels especially homey and relaxing, with its garden, tearoom, and period furniture.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Boasting panoramic views of the water, beachfront dining, and a spa so relaxing as to be borderline lobotomizing, the hotel offers a stock photo of a vacation.—
Mattie Kahn,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The design blends in seamlessly with the natural landscape, crafted in rich woods and soothing earth tones.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a hot tub outside as well as a compact indoor sauna (top-notch for soothing weary muscles).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In July 2024, an undercover agent was able to connect directly to a remote host computer and download several files containing child pornography, according to the affidavit.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The portion of the land containing the buildings is being transferred to the Community Land Trust of Marin, or CLAM.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
18 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 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
-
After all, orchestrating pre-arranged scores is far easier than composing original music from scratch.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
No need to be under the weather to enjoy this warm and comforting soup.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Enter Atralia’s matcha latte, which is a comforting gourmand.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Ball collided hard with Lee and both crumpled quickly to the floor, quieting the arena while many looked on anxiously.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calming. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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