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

Aloe vera is best known as a soothing plant used for skin care, but it also contains natural chemicals that may influence biological processes inside the body.

From Science Daily

“Calm down, Bat,” Mom said in her soothing voice, the one she saved for when Bat was getting really upset.

From Literature

As we headed upriver along the Volta it was soothing to look out the window and see the sun bounce off its ripples.

From Literature

The high-profile ads signal a departure from the industry’s previous marketing tone, which largely focused on soothing public anxiety about AI’s potential negative effects on jobs and human connection.

From The Wall Street Journal

“He’ll be a voice of reason, and that will be calming and soothing to the markets.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• calming
• reassuring