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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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
Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
That leaves us with smart solutions and savvy helpers that are specifically designed to minimize the heat, remove stuffiness, and provide soothing, cooling relief.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Maria Yagoda, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Apr. 2025
T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 10 June 2026
But the First Lady’s memoir is the wrong place for such self-soothing rhetoric.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soothing
Adjective
There’s a cosmic irony in referencing Yoshimura, whose soothing compositions were famously commissioned to accompany showrooms for model homes in Japan in the 1980s and have since become synonymous with domestic comfort.
—Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
That leaves us with smart solutions and savvy helpers that are specifically designed to minimize the heat, remove stuffiness, and provide soothing, cooling relief.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 June 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
Key Takeaways Honey contains antioxidants and may provide mild immune and throat-soothing benefits.
—T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 10 June 2026
But the First Lady’s memoir is the wrong place for such self-soothing rhetoric.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soothing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soothing
Adjective
-
Vacations are exciting, relaxing, and a great way to disconnect, but nothing brings you back to reality faster than returning to a messy home.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
-
Fishing can be easy and relaxing.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bemotrizinol is gentle enough to use on children as young as 6 months, according to the FDA, and has lower levels of absorption through the skin and into the body.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
During the Sudanese civil war, South Sudan’s elephant population plummeted from 100,000 to 5,000 over three decades, as herds of gentle bystanders got caught in the crossfire.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
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
Verb
-
On one hand, being diagnosed early can be reassuring.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
-
But Hill’s research proved reassuring to Bolton.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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
Verb
-
Corlys orders his men to thread the rocky Dragonstone pass at low tide, even relieving the helmsman of the ship’s wheel at the crucial moment.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
An orthopedic surgeon evaluated Parias and also provided a physical therapy referral, according to DHS, though by May his pain was still not relieving.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Easier than tomato pie, this drop biscuit-style savory cobbler makes a comforting summer supper.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
-
So much for the comforting assumption that someone official is keeping a careful tally of the loans inside your fund.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
But so do bursts of color, softer fabrics and strange patterns.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soothing. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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