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
as in calming
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Steve Appleford, SPIN, 13 Apr. 2026
The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
For more of the best sunscreen from Blue Lizard, check out our favorites below with options for babies and kids, sensitive skin, after-sun soothing lotion, and more.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soothing
Adjective
The science of the new album involves tuning his instruments using a new frequency, 432Hz (rather than the standard 440Hz) to create a warmer, more soothing experience.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 13 Apr. 2026
The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
Inside the pack, a walkie-talkie squawked with the voices of staff who needed back-up on the playground, or a bathroom break, or help soothing a troubled student.
—Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
For more of the best sunscreen from Blue Lizard, check out our favorites below with options for babies and kids, sensitive skin, after-sun soothing lotion, and more.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soothing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soothing
Adjective
-
Cozy Winter Lodging Any winter adventure is best capped off by a relaxing evening back at your cabin or resort.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Self-driving cars are operating commercially in some cities, and a relaxing, productive commute in an autonomous car competes for the same customer an eVTOL is trying to attract.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Under a blue sky and puffy clouds, a gentle wind blew through a sea of about 6,000 native plants — Santa Barbara milk vetch, golden yarrow and purple sage.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Naomi Watts’ Skincare Must-Haves for Perimenopause If your face feels tight after washing, this creamy cleanser can give your skin a gentle reset.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
That gentle handling is reassuring for parents wondering how animals are treated and how safe interactions will be for little ones.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Intense national concern even prompted President Lee Jae Myung to make a statement reassuring the public police, fire officials and the military were doing their best to capture the wolf alive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 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
-
Supporters’ contributions help change students’ lives by relieving financial burdens, augmenting the resources that support student learning inside and outside the classroom, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
It’s designed to mimic the feeling of a luxury hotel bed, per the brand, with a soft and breathable pillow top, targeted back support, and a pressure-relieving core that contours to your body.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pancakes are fluffy, soft and chewy, the sausage is comforting and the biscuit is probably one of the best in Charlotte.—
Shindy Chen
April 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This quick-cooking protein is the foundation of so many comforting meals—spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, casseroles, meatballs, tacos, and of course, burgers.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Reaves’ soft-tissue injury usually carries a four-to-six-week recovery process.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soothing. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
