1
as in soothes
to free from distress or disturbance
the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy
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Recent Examples of calms
The first step replenishes skin’s water levels, and the second protects it—a combination that improves elasticity, calms inflammation, and strengthens barrier integrity.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, another National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance winner, gently calms red, scaly skin with no-frills ingredients that get the job done.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
Colette Vance closes her eyes and calms herself with rosary beads, hoping that her claustrophobia doesn't trigger a panic attack.
—Evan Roberts, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
When the tempo calms down for genuine soul-searching and truth-telling, the results may not be dramatically scintillating but there is a blunt and convincing force that registers between these two big beefy half-bros who aren’t used to expressing their feelings.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
In other words, generosity that calms anxiety looks very different from generosity that grows out of choice.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Hyaluronic acid and ceramides work hand in hand to lock in moisture, while niacinamide calms the scalp.
—Staff Author, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Cover the dough balls with plastic wrap to help the bread retain moisture as the gluten calms down over the next 15 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2026
The lotion also has a cooling effect that calms inflammation.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, another National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance winner, gently calms red, scaly skin with no-frills ingredients that get the job done.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
Colette Vance closes her eyes and calms herself with rosary beads, hoping that her claustrophobia doesn't trigger a panic attack.
—Evan Roberts, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
When the tempo calms down for genuine soul-searching and truth-telling, the results may not be dramatically scintillating but there is a blunt and convincing force that registers between these two big beefy half-bros who aren’t used to expressing their feelings.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
In other words, generosity that calms anxiety looks very different from generosity that grows out of choice.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Hyaluronic acid and ceramides work hand in hand to lock in moisture, while niacinamide calms the scalp.
—Staff Author, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Cover the dough balls with plastic wrap to help the bread retain moisture as the gluten calms down over the next 15 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2026
The lotion also has a cooling effect that calms inflammation.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calms
Verb
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Best lotions for tattoos This body lotion soothes the itchiness and irritation from a new tattoo.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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All told, this is a hotel that cossets and soothes in quiet ways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dark red markings on a gray panel, meanwhile, typically indicate that the ammunition contains an irritant or riot-control agent.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Her Amazon cart contains the ageless, expensive-looking building blocks of any cool girl’s closet.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the northernmost part of the state, where tourism drives the economy, lulls in employment during the offseason makes income less certain.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Nothing lulls you to sleep like a a beautiful set of unbelievably soft, warm sheets.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Though the movie is shot entirely outdoors and largely features people on the move, mostly in the countryside but also in several turbulent city sequences, Ouédraogo (working with three cinematographers) composes images with poise and concentration.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
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Sharon Udoh Udoh composes, writes and improvises hymns.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Toward the end of 2026’s Sparkling Wine & Oyster Celebration, when the last oyster is gone and the sparkling wine has softened to its final fizz, the barn at Campovida quiets enough to hear winter wind moving through the rafters.—
Audrey T. Williams,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Add in ice cubes one at a time, and turn off the unit when the loud grinding quiets, after just a few seconds.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calms. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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