soothe
verb (used with object)
to tranquilize or calm (a person or their emotions); relieve, comfort, or refresh.
had been soothing
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past perfect progressiveof soothe.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The voice had been soothing, but the shock on seeing the face, when his eyes had come back into focus, was enough to change all his ideas.
From Evil Out of Onzar by Mark Ganes
And she bent forward and kissed her gently, as if she had been soothing a child.
From The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Granny had asked Nancy after surveying all these safeguards before the coming of the children; and Nancy's hearty answer, "'t will puzzle her, madam," had been soothing to the anxious old mother.
From Terry Or, She ought to have been a Boy by E. A. Cubitt
And his friendly solicitude had been soothing to Anthony through the day, restoring his balance of mind, and quieting the nervous restlessness which had possessed him hitherto.
From For the Faith by Evelyn Everett-Green
Vesty had been soothing her face in the baby's frowzled hair.
From Vesty of the Basins by Sarah P. McLean Greene
