Advertisement

View synonyms for

soothe

[sooth]

verb (used with object)

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

    to soothe sunburned skin.

    Synonyms: , ,


verb (used without object)

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

    a soft-spoken poem that soothes like a lullaby.

soothe

/ ːð /

verb

  1. (tr) to make calm or tranquil

  2. (tr) to relieve or assuage (pain, longing, etc)

  3. (intr) to bring tranquillity or relief

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • soother noun
  • self-soothed adjective
  • unsoothed adjective
  • ˈǴdzٳ noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of soothe1

First recorded before 950; Middle English sothen “to bear witness, confirm, verify,” Old English ōٳ󾱲 “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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of soothe1

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

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Credulously repeating Musk's claims that he's leaving the government, as far too many media outlets have done, helps Musk soothe the frayed nerves of his investors.

From

It's hard to imagine a better metaphor for the way in which Jacob's music can soothe and heal.

From

Prime ministers have repeatedly tried to soothe public concern; to draw a line under the issue.

From

Known in Japan as an ion bath, it combines many spa treatments in one: a heated, weighted feeling to relax and soothe the body and a calming aromatherapy to pique the senses.

From

The comment is offhand, meant to soothe rather than impress because Bifano works with the rich and famous every day as a master rosarian and garden designer.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


soothsoothfast