as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a calming glass of warm milk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in soothing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in lulling
to free from distress or disturbance
the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of
he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of calming
Jenna Anderson, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
Consistency can provide calming visuals, but Wells advises steering clear of perfection.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Make Minimalism Your Own For some people, blank white walls are a calming and relaxing sight.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Magnesium has a calming effect in addition to relieving tight or achy muscles, while argan, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils set out to deeply nourish and soften skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Jones gave Seattle a calming, trustworthy presence in the middle, similar to what Wagner provided.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Ten years of development went into the technology in the footbed, which is intended to be worn pre- or post-game, with pressure points scientifically proven to have a calming and focusing effect on the mind.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
The vibe is mature, focused, and surprisingly calming.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026
Reading Popular for generations, reading a physical book has once again become a go-to winter activity for people seeking a calming break from screens, noise and activity.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
This has been shown to relieve stress, promote a calming effect, and boost your mood.
—Erica Sweeney, SELF, 4 Feb. 2026
Oxytocin is a naturally occurring, calming neurotransmitter.
—Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
With the region still facing us and showing no signs of calming down, space weather forecasters will be keeping a close eye on whether this noisy sunspot will eventually pack a more powerful punch.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The junior guard has been working on calming down a little bit.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
For instance, gentle exfoliants like brown sugar and lactic acid smooth away dry skin so nourishing oils, shea butter, and vitamin E can absorb more deeply, while Pro-Vitamin B5 and calming botanicals help soften the skin, lock in hydration, and relax the senses.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
Opt for calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood, or vanilla—anything that instantly signals relaxation mode.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
In the brain, glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and affects NMDA receptors, which promote a calming, sleep-friendly state of mind.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 10 Feb. 2026
Consistency can provide calming visuals, but Wells advises steering clear of perfection.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Make Minimalism Your Own For some people, blank white walls are a calming and relaxing sight.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Magnesium has a calming effect in addition to relieving tight or achy muscles, while argan, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils set out to deeply nourish and soften skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Jones gave Seattle a calming, trustworthy presence in the middle, similar to what Wagner provided.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Ten years of development went into the technology in the footbed, which is intended to be worn pre- or post-game, with pressure points scientifically proven to have a calming and focusing effect on the mind.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
The vibe is mature, focused, and surprisingly calming.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026
Reading Popular for generations, reading a physical book has once again become a go-to winter activity for people seeking a calming break from screens, noise and activity.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 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
Trump supported Milei’s fiscal program last year with a $20-billion credit line that succeeded in calming markets and boosting Milei’s prospects in a crucial midterm election in October.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
This has been shown to relieve stress, promote a calming effect, and boost your mood.
—Erica Sweeney, SELF, 4 Feb. 2026
Oxytocin is a naturally occurring, calming neurotransmitter.
—Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
With the region still facing us and showing no signs of calming down, space weather forecasters will be keeping a close eye on whether this noisy sunspot will eventually pack a more powerful punch.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The junior guard has been working on calming down a little bit.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
For instance, gentle exfoliants like brown sugar and lactic acid smooth away dry skin so nourishing oils, shea butter, and vitamin E can absorb more deeply, while Pro-Vitamin B5 and calming botanicals help soften the skin, lock in hydration, and relax the senses.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
Opt for calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood, or vanilla—anything that instantly signals relaxation mode.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calming
Adjective
-
After a long, illustrious investing career, others would enjoy a relaxing retirement, but Jim is devoted to giving back to his Club Members.—
,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ahead are 12 items to never bring on a flight, along with smart swaps that will make your next trip smoother, easier, and far more relaxing.—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the illuminating Sun in your 4th House of Home sextiles tender Chiron in your 6th House of Work, practical adjustments may also have the benefit of soothing agitated feelings.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Mentally, there's something soothing about the fact that the hotel itself is shrouded in foliage.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, a salty liquid containing calcium chloride (a salt often used to de-ice roads) is pumped through the regenerator, which carries the heat away and ejects it to the surroundings on exit.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The National Institutes of Health reports that oregano oil repels bedbugs more effectively than commercial insecticides containing DEET.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Despite the show being about London’s high society, the production team used the row of terrace houses composing the famed Royal Crescent to depict the exterior of the Featherington household.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Due to the Los Angeles wildfires, he was trapped in Montana for a week without plans and started composing before the film had even officially secured a financing deal.—
Matthew Huff,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Few meals are as comforting as pot roast.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Artichoke dip is always a favorite; queso is another warm and comforting classic.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kimmel quotes from one popular manual, published in 1916, that advised quieting a crying baby by flipping it over and administering a vigorous spanking.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ball collided hard with Lee and both crumpled quickly to the floor, quieting the arena while many looked on anxiously.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calming. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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