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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lulling
to free from distress or disturbance
soothed the baby with a bottle
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3
as in relieving
to make more bearable or less severe
hot tea with honey will soothe a sore throat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of soothing
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
John Monaco, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
This Burt’s Bees set has six travel-sized mani-pedi essentials, including a soothing foot cream and buttery hand salve that protects dry, chapped skin.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soothing
Adjective
The formula includes soothing hydrators such as glycerin, dimethicone, and glyceryl behenate, plus antioxidants (vitamin E and C derivatives) to help calm and protect the skin.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Notable ingredients include hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, which help lock in moisture for up to 72 hours, all while soothing the skin.
—John Monaco, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
This Burt’s Bees set has six travel-sized mani-pedi essentials, including a soothing foot cream and buttery hand salve that protects dry, chapped skin.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soothing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soothing
Adjective
-
This is supposed to be a relaxing hobby!—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
This left zero time for serendipity — or just plain relaxing.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In July 2023, Angus Cloud, who played the gentle drug dealer Fezco, died of an accidental overdose (toxicology reports revealed methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines in his system).—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
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Something as seemingly innocuous as a gentle tap on the skin signals specialized nerve cells to convert the physical force into an electrical signal to the brain.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Altman was reassuring, mirroring these safety concerns.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Many people in the FLDS did not believe that Sam was a prophet and actually rejected him, which is reassuring.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
If a health problem is completely random and isolated, meaning the rest of the family is free from risk, the news can be relieving, if complicated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Many agree that relieving economic distress must be an immediate focus, but while some believe that should entail a gradual, socialist-style liberalization of the economy, others want a total transition to free-market capitalism, including more foreign investment and private enterprise.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The favorite of the bunch was the Cinnamon Caramel offering, which tasted comforting and cozy like fall.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2026
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Where their debut roars, jabbing with hooks, Two Wheels Move the Soul instead inverts the noise until the sound becomes pillowy and comforting.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Made for unwinding, dreaming and everything in between, this 100% organic cotton sleepwear is crafted from naturally soft, breathable fabric that keeps you comfortable all night long.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Earth Tone Collection currently offers several neutral colors—desert sand, warm beige, dune taupe, washed khaki, dusty olive, soft clay, muted terracotta and light stone—and the clients can create other custom colors.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soothing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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