soothe

[ sooth ]

verb (used with object)

, soothed, sooth·ing.

1. to tranquilize or calm (a person or their emotions); relieve, comfort, or refresh:

   soothing someone's anger;

   to soothe someone with a hot drink.

   Antonyms: roil, upset

2. to mitigate, assuage, or allay, as pain, sorrow, or doubt:

   to soothe sunburned skin.

   Synonyms: mollify, appease, alleviate

verb (used without object)

, soothed, sooth·ing.

1. to exert a calming influence; bring tranquility, ease, or comfort:

   a soft-spoken poem that soothes like a lullaby.

soothe

/ suːð /

verb

1. tr to make calm or tranquil
2. tr to relieve or assuage (pain, longing, etc)
3. intr to bring tranquillity or relief

Derived Forms

• ˈsoother, noun

Other Words From

• soother noun
• self-soothed adjective
• un·soothed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soothe¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English sothen “to bear witness, confirm, verify,” Old English sōthian “to prove true”; the Modern English sense shift “to verify” becomes “to support (a person's statement),” then “to encourage,” and finally “to calm”; sooth

Word History and Origins

Origin of soothe¹

C16 (in the sense: to mollify): from Old English sōthian to prove; related to Old Norse sanna to assert; see sooth

Synonym Study

See comfort, allay.

Example Sentences

An instant cold press will help soothe inflammation and exam gloves allow you to safely treat wounds.

From Popular-Science

This sulfate-free and dye-free option contains coconut oil to soothe any aches and moisturize your hair.

From Popular-Science

Aline Zoldbrod, a Boston psychologist and sex therapist, says there are also tapping techniques, like a butterfly hug, people can perform on themselves to self-soothe.

From Fortune

Just like a child often needs to be held to be soothed, adults often need human touch to be reassured.

From Fortune

Rather than fizzing at the bottom of the tub, these calming, soothing bath beads just sit there gently releasing oil and scent, moisturizing your skin and making you feel real fancy.

From Ozy

They were desperate, and all you could do was to soothe and calm; in every call you tried to get their story, to get them talking.

From The Daily Beast

He did not speak words meant to soothe a “fundamentalist” audience.

From The Daily Beast

So she finds ways to self-soothe through pleasure and play, and also by figuring out what makes her father happy.

From The Daily Beast

“To get up and soothe is not my inclination,” says a defiant Romney.

From The Daily Beast

Working hard to turn heads and soothe nerves is Osmel Sousa.

From The Daily Beast

In those dim aisles and mighty halls brooded a Presence that he knew could soothe and comfort.

From Project Gutenberg

And Mrs. Haggard, after attempting to soothe the wounded feelings of her maid, directed her to accompany them.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not respond; she did not attempt to soothe him; if ever looks expressed reproach and aversion, hers did then.

From Project Gutenberg

William omitted nothing that a brother could have done to soothe and conciliate a brother.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing else can soothe the wounded feelings as well as a tender embrace or a word from mother.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allay
• alleviate
• appease
• assuage
• cool
• mitigate
• mollify
• pacify
• relieve
• soften