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
Melynnique Seabrook is a singer-songwriter and meditation guide whose soothing voice and heart-centered music inspire healing, relaxation, and inner peace. — Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2026 The space has a dramatic 28-foot Palladian rotunda, a saltwater soaking tub, a sauna, a steam room and a wall of water that creates a soothing, flowing sound. — Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 30 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
For many years, critics frequently downplayed the soothing texture of Sade’s songs as mere aural wallpaper, mood music for lovemaking. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 30 June 2026 Better yet, soothing ingredients like chamomile flower water and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid keep skin feeling comfortable, so your complexion looks fresh—not overly matte. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 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
  • Audiences want a quiet, efficient, relaxing, fun, visually engaging, communal experience unavailable at home.
    — Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
  • Patio lights Having warm and inviting outdoor lighting can help set a relaxing evening mood.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Definition of relaxing
Adjective
  • The luxurious washes and soaps are gentle on skin for a clean, nourished feeling.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
  • Everywhere, in big cities and small towns, there’s an increase in the adultification of children, even the well-off ones, even the ones raised by gentle parents, even the ones with skate and surf camps, guitar lessons, and college funds.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 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
  • 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
  • The worry that sunscreen leaves people short on vitamin D has been studied for years, and for everyday use, the findings are reassuring.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 29 June 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
  • Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Healthcare economists say giving people access to preventive healthcare saves taxpayers money in the long run by keeping the workforce healthy and relieving pressure on an overburdened system.
    — Christine Mai-Duc, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of relieving
Adjective
  • Sora is all about cooking to preserve memories, especially those of his late mother, believing food should be both comforting and refined.
    — Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • One of the daily specials, a creamy risotto accented with a bold red pepper puree and blackened shrimp, caught my eye and satisfied my cravings for something comforting.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • Play soft music to drown out fireworks blasts and give your pet something to do, like putting treats inside an interactive toy, to keep them calm and happy.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • This relaxed pick is incredibly soft, really cute, and surprisingly easy to style.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on soothing

Nglish: Translation of soothing for Spanish Speakers

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