soothing 1 of 3

adjective

ˈsü-t͟hiŋ How to pronounce soothing (audio)
Definition of soothingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect spoke to the boy in a soothing voice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soothing

2 of 3

noun

as in calming

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Dissimilar Words

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

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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
Adjective
Earthy textiles, polished cement, and wicker accents make for a soothing blend. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026 On the skin-care front, hyaluronic acid and glycerin help draw in and lock in moisture, while soothing tiger grass helps support the skin barrier and calm the look of irritation. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 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
For those with a sensitive eye area that can’t always handle strong active ingredients, this soothing superstar from Cocokind is a clear winner. — Daley Quinn, Glamour, 9 July 2026 Innovative mechanics and a soothing stretch mode make the LiberNovo Omni memorable, but its mediocre support ultimately overshadows its technical achievements. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for soothing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soothing
  1. relaxing
  2. gentle
  3. calming
  4. reassuring
  5. lulling
  6. relieving
  7. comforting
  8. soft
Adjective
  • Inferno is immersive and psychedelic but not necessarily in the relaxing way the words usually convey.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • Kate Hudson enjoyed a relaxing beach day with her kids, 7-year-old Rani and 14-year-old Bingham, in Athens, Greece.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of relaxing
Adjective
  • Offered in collaboration with the UC San Diego Stein Institute for Research on Aging, this six-week class combines breathwork, gentle movement, and mindfulness to support physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
    — Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • To remove burn marks or sticky residues, Mock recommends applying the cleaner of your choice (can be a baking soda and white vinegar paste, or any gentle cleaner).
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 July 2026
Definition of gentle
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
Definition of calming
Verb
  • While scratching his head on Citi’s Copilot take, Jim found the analysts’ commentary around Azure reassuring.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • As first responders worked to get Donald Bellos into the ambulance, his mother could be seen on the body camera footage by his side, reassuring him.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of reassuring
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
Definition of lulling
Verb
  • The salicylic acid helps gently remove flakes while relieving any irritation and itchy feelings.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Best July 4th Bose Headphone Deal Bose QuietComfort The Bose QuietComfort Headphones claim absolute silence by fusing industry-leading active noise cancellation mechanics with plush, pressure-relieving over-ear cushions.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of relieving
Adjective
  • Dishes range from savory and comforting, like the locro quiteño soup made with chola potatoes and topped with crunchy chulpi corn, to bright and refreshing, like the peanutty ceviche popular in the coastal Manabí Province.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • The comforting story, that AI will change everyone's job but yours, is the most dangerous thing a manager can believe right now.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • Smaller nonprofit efforts — often faith-based — can also offer a soft landing place, but few exist.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Most accounts read Qatar's rise as gas turned into money, turned into visibility, a soft-power story with expensive props.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of soft

Browse Nearby Words

soothes
soothing
soothingness
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Cite this Entry

“Soothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soothing. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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