to soothe

Examples

• All

• And I hope that his dulcet tones soothe you as you listen to this episode.

• The gentle lullaby helped to soothe the restless baby to sleep.

• I thought it would soothe him.

  9 Bullets (2022)

• Helps soothe an active mind.

  The Jacket (2005)

• The singing was supposed to soothe them, and it did.

  Academic text (2005)

• Last, we let Kenny G soothe us into the midnight hour.

• It's knowing how to soothe your nervous system when you're scared.

  Rich Roll

• Sometimes she will pout for days unless you step in quickly and soothe her down.

  Fiction book (1990)

• And just nature, being in nature really soothed me and grounded me.

• Being able to calm and soothe somebody's anger is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and implemented.

  Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

R

to relax

vsto soothe

∞ 1.0

To feel less nervous and more calm

focuses more on immediate easing of upset or pain rather than general restfulness

C

to calm

vsto soothe

962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

has a stronger focus on soothing distress and reducing physical discomfort

C

to calm down

vsto soothe

• Informal

594 1.4

To become less angry, excited, or upset

is more proactive at easing pain or calming someone rather than just ending agitation

M

to make (someone) feel better

vsto soothe

329 1.5

Help someone feel happier when they are sad or sick

is narrower, mainly about making upset people calmer or less hurt

C

to comfort

vsto soothe

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

puts more emphasis on reducing upset feelings or physical discomfort

R

to relieve

vsto soothe

166 2.3

Make pain, stress, or worry less

is more centered on directly calming a person or reducing discomfort

A

to alleviate

vsto soothe

76 5.3

To make pain, suffering, or a problem less strong

is more about soothing emotions and reducing immediate upset rather than fixing problems

C

to console

vsto soothe

40 3.9

To comfort someone who feels sad or disappointed

is more about reducing agitation or physical hurt rather than only sympathy

C

to compose

vsto soothe

33 4.7

To calm yourself after strong feelings

is broader, often aimed at reducing pain and general upset rather than self control

A

to assuage

vsto soothe

• Formal

20 7.7

To make a bad feeling, pain, or worry less strong

focuses especially on calming upset feelings or easing pain rather than broad relief

A

to allay

vsto soothe

14 6.9

To make fear, anger, or worry less strong

is more directly aimed at making a person calmer or less pained

P

to pacify

vsto soothe

11 5.2

To calm someone who is angry or upset

is less specific to anger and also covers easing pain and general upset

M

to mollify

vsto soothe

8 7.2

To make someone less angry or upset

is more directly about easing personal upset or physical discomfort

S

to salve

vsto soothe

2 7.5

To put a healing cream on skin to make it feel better

focuses more on easing feelings of upset rather than healing itself

S

to solace

vsto soothe

1 5.9

To make someone feel less sad or upset

is broader, applying equally to reducing pain or physical discomfort

L

to lenify

vsto soothe

• Archaic

9.9

To make someone feel calmer or less angry

is mainly about calming upset or reducing pain rather than making things milder

Antonyms

D

to disturb

153 2.5

Make someone feel deeply worried or upset

A

to agitate

42 4.8

To make people feel strongly excited or upset

I

to irritate

17 3.4

Make a part of the body sore and uncomfortable, often causing redness or itching

Phrasal Verbs

S

to soothe a sore throat

2.5

To make the pain or scratchy feeling in your throat less

How Soothing

to relieve

166 2.3

to alleviate

76 5.3

to soothe

63 3.4

to comfort

172 1.0

to console

40 3.9

to calm

962 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology