soothing 1 of 3

adjective

ˈsü-t͟hiŋ How to pronounce soothing (audio)
Definition of soothingnext
1
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress the soothing music eventually put the entire yoga class in the proper mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect spoke to the boy in a soothing voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soothing

2 of 3

noun

as in calming

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

soothing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of soothe
1
as in reassuring
to ease the grief or distress of there seemed to be no words sufficient to soothe the bereaved parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lulling
to free from distress or disturbance soothed the baby with a bottle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relieving
to make more bearable or less severe hot tea with honey will soothe a sore throat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of soothing
Adjective
Earthy textiles, polished cement, and wicker accents make for a soothing blend. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026 On the skin-care front, hyaluronic acid and glycerin help draw in and lock in moisture, while soothing tiger grass helps support the skin barrier and calm the look of irritation. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Noun
This became a soothing refrain whenever there was a momentary, impossible-to-plan-for hiccup (like the arrival time of custom’s agents) shared with the guests. — Maria Yagoda, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
The brand uses gourmand fragrances, soothing plant butters, exfoliating tropical fruit acids and nourishing oils to keep your skin and hair looking healthy, hydrated and smelling delicious. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Inside the hotel, a soothing palette of timber, stone, and bronze tones, layered with sculptural forms and soft textures, reflects its surroundings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for soothing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soothing
  1. relaxing
  2. gentle
  3. calming
  4. reassuring
  5. lulling
  6. relieving
  7. comforting
  8. soft
Adjective
  • Optics expert, Jase Parnell-Brookes, gave them four stars in their full Canon 18x50 binoculars review for enabling a relaxing and impressive session of stargazing.
    — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 20 July 2026
  • Skip visually abrasive color palettes that don’t feel calming or relaxing.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026
Definition of relaxing
Adjective
  • Two of Latin alternative’s gentlest souls combine their heart-on-your-sleeve electronic and indie-folk impulses for a breezy, languorous collaborative record.
    — E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
  • Underwater speakers played gentle music, bringing me back and signaling the hour was up.
    — Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026
Definition of gentle
Noun
  • At the same time, glycerin, squalane, and tremella mushrooms keep skin comfortably hydrated, while calming extras like bisabolol and Centella asiatica (cica) minimize the chance of irritation.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026
  • But the only peace on Concrète Waves is the occasional pullback, a calming of the storm rather than the coming of a resolution.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of calming
Verb
  • While scratching his head on Citi’s Copilot take, Jim found the analysts’ commentary around Azure reassuring.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • As first responders worked to get Donald Bellos into the ambulance, his mother could be seen on the body camera footage by his side, reassuring him.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of reassuring
Verb
  • Parsons went on to self-release multiple full-length soundtrack albums of ominous sci-fi pads, glitchy electronics, and lulling melodies before A24 announced the release of a feature-length film.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
  • The project was about permeating the masses, gradually lulling them with propaganda.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of lulling
Verb
  • The salicylic acid helps gently remove flakes while relieving any irritation and itchy feelings.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Best July 4th Bose Headphone Deal Bose QuietComfort The Bose QuietComfort Headphones claim absolute silence by fusing industry-leading active noise cancellation mechanics with plush, pressure-relieving over-ear cushions.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of relieving
Adjective
  • Dishes range from savory and comforting, like the locro quiteño soup made with chola potatoes and topped with crunchy chulpi corn, to bright and refreshing, like the peanutty ceviche popular in the coastal Manabí Province.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • The comforting story, that AI will change everyone's job but yours, is the most dangerous thing a manager can believe right now.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • Smaller nonprofit efforts — often faith-based — can also offer a soft landing place, but few exist.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Most accounts read Qatar's rise as gas turned into money, turned into visibility, a soft-power story with expensive props.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of soft

Browse Nearby Words

soothes
soothing
soothingness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soothing. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on soothing

Nglish: Translation of soothing for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All