Synonyms of soothing

soothing 1 of 3

adjective

ˈsü-t͟hiŋ 

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

• relaxing
• comforting
• tranquilizing
• hypnotic
• calming
• quieting
• sedative
• dreamy
• narcotic
• lulling
• depressant
• opiate
• pacifying
• analgesic
• anesthetic
• anodyne
• deadening
• antidepressant
• numbing
• antianxiety
• antistress
• antidepression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• painful
• stressful
• unsettling
• troubling
• tiresome
• stimulating
• trying
• worrisome
• stimulant
• troublesome
• irritating
• disturbing
• annoying
• energizing
• aggravating
• frustrating
• invigorating
• maddening
• bothersome
• exasperating
• irksome
• vexing
• vexatious
• galling
• grating
• nettlesome
• harassing

2

as in gentle

not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect

spoke to the boy in a soothing voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gentle
• soft
• mellow
• mild
• light
• delicate
• benign
• quiet
• bland
• serene
• calm
• smooth
• peaceful
• balmy
• tranquil
• tender
• nonabrasive
• compassionate
• easy
• placid
• merciful
• softening
• pacific
• sleek
• lenient
• emollient
• slick
• clement
• cushioning
• buffering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• powerful
• hard
• caustic
• intense
• harsh
• rough
• coarse
• abrasive
• stern
• exquisite
• severe
• scathing
• fierce
• violent
• strong
• forceful
• forcible
• savage
• ungentle
• irritating
• rugged
• grim
• roughened
• stiff
• gruff
• oppressive
• rude
• pitiless
• tyrannical
• roughening
• abrading
• heavy-handed

soothing

2 of 3

noun

as in calming

Related Words

• calming
• salving
• decrease
• mitigation
• moderation
• assuagement
• appeasement
• alleviation
• relief
• mollification
• ease
• diminishment
• comfort
• release

Dissimilar Words

• discomfort
• unrest
• suffering
• torture
• anguish
• misery
• agony
• torment
• pain
• ache
• sting
• stitch
• pang
• twinge
• prick
• tingle
• smart
• throe

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

• reassuring
• comforting
• assuring
• consoling
• cheering
• uplifting
• solacing
• calming
• relieving
• sympathizing
• alleviating
• lifting
• relaxing
• empathizing
• elevating
• allaying
• commiserating
• quieting
• condoling
• tranquilizing
• boosting
• buoying (up)
• assuaging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distressing
• troubling
• tormenting
• discouraging
• torturing
• worrying
• upsetting
• disheartening
• demoralizing
• intensifying
• aggravating
• worsening
• irritating
• fretting
• annoying
• harassing
• pestering
• irking

2

as in lulling

to free from distress or disturbance

soothed the baby with a bottle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• calming
• lulling
• composing
• quieting
• appeasing
• relaxing
• tranquilizing
• salving
• stilling
• relieving
• settling
• quietening
• becalming
• hushing
• pacifying
• lullabying
• placating
• mollifying
• quelling
• alleviating
• conciliating
• easing
• mitigating
• allaying
• solacing
• assuaging
• sedating
• laying
• stupefying
• narcotizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturbing
• upsetting
• disquieting
• agitating
• perturbing
• vexing
• keying (up)
• aggravating
• intensifying
• exciting
• heightening
• arousing
• rousing
• stirring (up)
• discomposing
• inciting
• fomenting
• working up

3

as in relieving

to make more bearable or less severe

hot tea with honey will soothe a sore throat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relieving
• alleviating
• helping
• easing
• softening
• mitigating
• healing
• allaying
• mollifying
• improving
• curing
• enhancing
• assuaging
• tempering
• palliating
• lightening
• remedying
• moderating
• repairing
• correcting
• enriching
• fixing
• refining
• ameliorating
• abating
• rectifying
• reforming
• amending
• perfecting
• bettering
• meliorating
• mending
• emending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aggravating
• hurting
• impairing
• injuring
• harming
• exacerbating
• intensifying
• sharpening
• heightening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of soothing

Adjective

Gas, reflux, growth spurts and other sources of discomfort can mean significantly more soothing and troubleshooting throughout the night. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

The room was modern-rustic, with cedar-plank walls, limestone floors, hunks of Utah rock crystals, and a private back terrace with an outdoor swing overlooking a brook that provides a soothing nocturnal soundtrack. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

Additional soothing comes at the Sense Spa, with its gym, treatment rooms, and Turkish-style hammam. — Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026

Many gliding swings also feature music and vibrations for extra soothing. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

The show is so cozy and soothing that the actors frequently fell asleep during takes and can be spotted snoozing in the background. — Josh Gondelman, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026

Often found in skin care products in light of their ability to proliferate collagen, peptides fare equally well in hair products by virtue of their follicle-stimulating, scalp-soothing benefits. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026