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

The Comfier Shiatsu Back Massager has dual motors and 3D massage rollers that travel along an extended track to target your upper back, lower back or both at once, while soothing heat therapy helps ease muscle tension. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Probiotics balance the scalp biome, biotin is a hero hair growth ingredient, salicylic acid helps exfoliate away oil and dead skin, hyaluronic acid invites moisture, and a range of botanical antioxidants offer a soothing effect. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 15 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

According to Daniel Martin, the celebrity makeup artist responsible for Meghan Markle’s jaw-dropping nuptial glow, the day before your wedding, your skincare should focus on delivering layers of hydration and soothing ingredients to your complexion. — Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 23 July 2026

Its smoothing and soothing claims are most definitely valid, and so is its yummy fragrance. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 23 July 2026