soothing

American  

[soo-thing] / ˈsu ðɪŋ /

adjective

1. that soothes.

   a soothing voice.

2. tending to assuage pain.

   a soothing cough syrup.

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ˈsoothing British  

/ ˈsuːðɪŋ /

adjective

1. having a calming, assuaging, or relieving effect

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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

You might be tempted, with every faraway look in Christian Petzold’s subtly moving “Miroirs No. 3,” to hope for that soothing, enlightened release so often served as catharsis in tales of loss and healing.

From Los Angeles Times

Then the Prime Minister’s voice was speaking to us, sonorous and soothing.

From Literature

“She was dropping off the laundry,” Ma said in her soothing murmur.

From Literature

But it also feels purposeful and even soothing somehow.

From Literature

The logistical obstacle course they would need to navigate for the evacuation included soothing jumpy horses, scrambling for last-minute cargo flights and navigating Belgian bureaucracy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• calming
• reassuring