soothing

1 tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress the soothing music eventually put the entire yoga class in the proper mood Synonyms calming, comforting, dreamy, lulling, narcotic, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, sedative, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing) Related Words hypnotic, opiate; analgesic, anesthetic, anodyne, deadening, depressant, numbing; antianxiety, antidepressant, antidepression, antistress Near Antonyms painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, unsettling, worrisome; energizing, invigorating, stimulant, stimulating; aggravating, annoying, bothersome, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, grating, harassing, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, troublesome, vexatious, vexing

2 not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect spoke to the boy in a soothing voice Synonyms balmy, benign, bland, delicate, light, mellow, mild, nonabrasive, soft, gentle, tenderRelated Words calm, pacific, peaceful, placid, quiet, serene, tranquil; clement, compassionate, easy, lenient, merciful; buffering, cushioning, emollient, softening; sleek, slick, smoothNear Antonyms exquisite, fierce, intense, powerful, severe; forceful, forcible, savage, violent; roughened, rugged, strong; abrading, irritating, roughening; grim, gruff, rude, stiff; heavy-handed, oppressive, pitiless, tyrannical (also tyrannic)Antonyms abrasive, caustic, coarse, hard, harsh, rough, scathing, stern, ungentle