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

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

That’s why watching swearing Aussies fall in love while they care for a scruffy pup with wheel-aided hind legs is the soothing balm our brains need right now.

From Los Angeles Times

Taking in “Martha” is as soothing as thumbing through the glossy pages of Living, with its parade of touched-up artfully arranged photographs interspersed with archival footage and illustrations serving as tasteful alternatives to reenactments.

From Salon

Suddenly, the playful messaging, reliability, the soothing sound of them reading at night — all my favorite things about our time together — disappeared.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calming
• reassuring