soothing
adjective
sooth·ing ˈsü-t͟hiŋ 
: tending to soothe
also : having a sedative effect
soothing syrup
soothingly adverb
soothingness noun
Synonyms
- calming
- comforting
- dreamy
- lulling
- narcotic
- pacifying
- quieting
- relaxing
- sedative
- tranquilizing
- tranquillizing
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The music had a soothing effect on the baby. the soothing music eventually put the entire yoga class in the proper mood
Recent Examples on the Web But off screen, the 33-year-old actor has a soothing voice and a calming demeanor—remarkable considering the making of the epic new series, out now, tested the Welsh actor in every sense of the word. 
Austa Somvichian-clausen, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2022 It’s moisturizing, soothing, and gentle all at once. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 30 Aug. 2022 The standout ingredients that truly satiate the skin are aloe vera for soothing, hyaluronic acid for skin elasticity, castor oil for nourishment, and water for hydration. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022 An easy upgrade to her skincare routine, this facial massage tool is simple to use and offers many benefits including reducing puffiness, soothing and cooling skin, and general de-stressing. Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2022 Listening to him call a game is soothing and familiar, like hearing from a favorite Red Sox-adoring uncle. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The soothing voice of former President Barack Obama will help tell the story of the world’s most famous national parks. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2022 Emily was using the GentleBirth app, which features a soothing voice that talks laboring moms through each contraction. Diane Herbst, PEOPLE.com, 21 June 2021 Clark Kent loves Lois Lane; Black Widow’s soothing voice brings Hulk back to his Bruce Banner self. Angela Watercutter, Wired, 18 June 2021 See More
Austa Somvichian-clausen, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2022 It’s moisturizing, soothing, and gentle all at once. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 30 Aug. 2022 The standout ingredients that truly satiate the skin are aloe vera for soothing, hyaluronic acid for skin elasticity, castor oil for nourishment, and water for hydration. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022 An easy upgrade to her skincare routine, this facial massage tool is simple to use and offers many benefits including reducing puffiness, soothing and cooling skin, and general de-stressing. Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2022 Listening to him call a game is soothing and familiar, like hearing from a favorite Red Sox-adoring uncle. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The soothing voice of former President Barack Obama will help tell the story of the world’s most famous national parks. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2022 Emily was using the GentleBirth app, which features a soothing voice that talks laboring moms through each contraction. Diane Herbst, PEOPLE.com, 21 June 2021 Clark Kent loves Lois Lane; Black Widow’s soothing voice brings Hulk back to his Bruce Banner self. Angela Watercutter, Wired, 18 June 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1700, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing soothing
soothing 1 of 3
adjective
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
- relaxing
- comforting
- tranquilizing
- tranquillizing
- quieting
- calming
- hypnotic
- sedative
- lulling
- dreamy
- pacifying
- narcotic
- analgesic
- opiate
- anodyne
- depressant
- anesthetic
- deadening
- antianxiety
- numbing
- antidepressant
- antistress
- antidepression
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- painful
- unsettling
- stimulating
- troubling
- stressful
- tiresome
- trying
- worrisome
- stimulant
- energizing
- irritating
- troublesome
- invigorating
- aggravating
- disturbing
- annoying
- frustrating
- 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
- calm
- serene
- delicate
- quiet
- light
- benign
- tranquil
- peaceful
- smooth
- bland
- tender
- balmy
- placid
- softening
- nonabrasive
- compassionate
- easy
- merciful
- pacific
- sleek
- clement
- emollient
- cushioning
- lenient
- buffering
- slick
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- powerful
- caustic
- intense
- harsh
- hard
- rough
- exquisite
- abrasive
- coarse
- stern
- forceful
- severe
- strong
- fierce
- violent
- scathing
- forcible
- ungentle
- savage
- irritating
- roughened
- rugged
- gruff
- grim
- oppressive
- stiff
- rude
- pitiless
- roughening
- tyrannical
- abrading
- heavy-handed
- tyrannic
soothing
2 of 3noun
as in calming
Synonyms & Similar Words
- calming
- salving
- decrease
- mitigation
- moderation
- assuagement
- alleviation
- mollification
- appeasement
- relief
- ease
- diminishment
- comfort
- release
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discomfort
- suffering
- unrest
- torture
- anguish
- pain
- torment
- agony
- misery
- ache
- sting
- stitch
- smart
- twinge
- tingle
- pang
- prick
- throe
soothing
3 of 3verb
1
as in comforting
to ease the grief or distress of there seemed to be no words sufficient to soothe the bereaved parents Synonyms & Similar Words
- comforting
- reassuring
- assuring
- consoling
- uplifting
- cheering
- solacing
- calming
- relieving
- sympathizing
- alleviating
- relaxing
- empathizing
- tranquilizing
- commiserating
- lifting
- allaying
- quieting
- elevating
- assuaging
- condoling
- tranquillizing
- boosting
- buoying (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distressing
- troubling
- tormenting
- discouraging
- torturing
- aggravating
- upsetting
- worrying
- intensifying
- irritating
- disheartening
- demoralizing
- worsening
- annoying
- harassing
- fretting
- 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
- relaxing
- appeasing
- tranquilizing
- becalming
- salving
- stilling
- quietening
- tranquillizing
- relieving
- settling
- pacifying
- mollifying
- hushing
- lullabying
- placating
- quelling
- alleviating
- easing
- solacing
- conciliating
- mitigating
- sedating
- allaying
- assuaging
- narcotizing
- stupefying
- laying
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disturbing
- disquieting
- agitating
- perturbing
- upsetting
- aggravating
- vexing
- intensifying
- keying (up)
- exciting
- heightening
- rousing
- arousing
- inciting
- discomposing
- stirring (up)
- 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
- softening
- easing
- mitigating
- healing
- mollifying
- allaying
- improving
- enhancing
- assuaging
- curing
- tempering
- palliating
- lightening
- remedying
- moderating
- enriching
- repairing
- refining
- correcting
- fixing
- ameliorating
- rectifying
- abating
- perfecting
- reforming
- amending
- meliorating
- mending
- bettering
- emending
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- aggravating
- hurting
- impairing
- harming
- injuring
- intensifying
- exacerbating
- sharpening
- heightening