soothing

[ soo-thing ]

adjective

1. that soothes:

   a soothing voice.

2. tending to assuage pain:

   a soothing cough syrup.

ˈsoothing

/ ˈsuːðɪŋ /

adjective

1. having a calming, assuaging, or relieving effect

Derived Forms

• ˈsoothingly, adverb
• ˈsoothingness, noun

Other Words From

• soothing·ly adverb
• soothing·ness noun
• over·soothing adjective
• over·soothing·ly adverb
• self-soothing adjective
• un·soothing adjective
• un·soothing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of soothing¹

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

Example Sentences

We streamed soothing sights of wildlife such as penguins and meerkats at the San Diego Zoo while the polls were still open.

From Salon

Our expert content team has a way of sprinkling soothing magic on all of our Sleep Stories through the narrator's cadence to the background music to get people to lull to sleep.

From Salon

Consider it a soothing symbol of a less digital, pre-pandemic world centered on convivial small-town life.

From Los Angeles Times

Returning to the trail, with its soothing chorus of crickets, velvety laurel sumac shrubs and feathery wild grasses, something inside me loosened.

From Los Angeles Times

Or try immersing yourself in some soothing, mindless tasks.

From Slate

Related Words

• calming
• reassuring