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
Related Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
And calming overseas conflicts could also help improve market conditions.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
The color options available for most products are fantastic for a spring refresh thanks to the calming Sky Blue and Honeydew Green, and the more neutral options -- Linen White and Caviar Gray -- offer quiet sophistication for a more minimal aesthetic.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Then throw on your favorite calming playlist, sit back, and enjoy the flight.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Another class involves drip painting to combine art and water as a calming method.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Parents are left unsure who can adjust an approach that is clearly escalating rather than calming.
—Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
Regardless, the aesthetics of a bloom room are best with at least some rays to evoke a fresh and calming feeling.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
The space boasts a heated pool, spa and pool house, while impressive indoor amenities include a gym, home theater and calming views of the surrounding greenery.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Third-year senior batterymate Caroline Ozman is a calming presence with a big bat, and sophomore speedster Ava Davenport (second base) has pop.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
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
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
Ice rollers and cryo tools are best for reducing puffiness, calming inflammation and easing morning swelling by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
And calming overseas conflicts could also help improve market conditions.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
The color options available for most products are fantastic for a spring refresh thanks to the calming Sky Blue and Honeydew Green, and the more neutral options -- Linen White and Caviar Gray -- offer quiet sophistication for a more minimal aesthetic.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Then throw on your favorite calming playlist, sit back, and enjoy the flight.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Another class involves drip painting to combine art and water as a calming method.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Parents are left unsure who can adjust an approach that is clearly escalating rather than calming.
—Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
Regardless, the aesthetics of a bloom room are best with at least some rays to evoke a fresh and calming feeling.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
The space boasts a heated pool, spa and pool house, while impressive indoor amenities include a gym, home theater and calming views of the surrounding greenery.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calming
Adjective
-
Few things can ruin a relaxing afternoon outdoors faster than an uninvited wasp buzzing around your head.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The cocooning effect is helped along by Jacques Garcia’s interiors, layered with taupes and burgundies, velvet and lacquer (and some 6,000 meters of damask silk thrown in the mix), into a hideaway that’s both ornate and relaxing.—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Water is one of the best inclusions to have in a hardscape plan for its soothing sound that also improves the air quality by releasing negative ions in the air that decreases pollutants.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There’s still that soothing sense of nostalgia and history that comes with seeing an old friend.—
Emily Adler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investigators also recovered a bloodstained rock, clothing and bags allegedly containing medical supplies tied to the defendant.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
For the first time, paleontologists have discovered a 250-million-year-old fossil egg containing an embryo of a mammal ancestor.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 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 study—drawing from more than 41 million shifts and 268 million hours worked—finds Gen Z is leading the way in poly-employment, composing more than half (55%) of those engaged in the practice.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Badauni served at Akbar’s court while composing a work deeply hostile to his patron; the text could only be privately circulated to a limited audience during Akbar’s lifetime and remained suppressed until after Jahangir’s accession in 1605.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The favorite of the bunch was the Cinnamon Caramel offering, which tasted comforting and cozy like fall.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Where their debut roars, jabbing with hooks, Two Wheels Move the Soul instead inverts the noise until the sound becomes pillowy and comforting.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clay Holmes threw 5 2/3 innings, Devin Williams recorded his first save in a Mets uniform, and the Mets limited the Cards to only five hits throughout the entire game, quieting the bats that made a lot of noise in their season-opening series.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Calming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calming. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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