soothing

American  

[soo-thing] / ˈsu ðɪŋ /

adjective

1. that soothes.

   a soothing voice.

2. tending to assuage pain.

   a soothing cough syrup.

---

ˈsoothing British  

/ ˈsuːðɪŋ /

adjective

1. having a calming, assuaging, or relieving effect

---

Other Word Forms

• oversoothing adjective
• oversoothingly adverb
• self-soothing adjective
• soothingly adverb
• soothingness noun
• unsoothing adjective
• unsoothingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of soothing

First recorded in 1590–1600; soothe + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Their relative normalcy, and that of fellow marrieds Amber Morrison and Jordan Faeth, is a soothing contrast to the textbook Fusco fiasco and the rest of the season’s red flag bearers.

From Salon

However, it’s common for an infection to clear up on its own and treatment is mostly geared toward soothing symptoms, according to the American Lung Assn.

From Los Angeles Times

The son of an Irish mother and a Guyanese father, Lynott was the band’s bassist and primary songwriter, with a soothing voice that seemed almost confessional.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’ve never been anywhere near a sunlit designer kitchen in the Hamptons, but I still found it all oddly soothing.

From Salon

“Even when you don’t believe in rituals,” the author tells us, “they are soothing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• calming
• reassuring