soothes

VERB

calm, ease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allay alleviate appease assuage cool mitigate mollify pacify relieve soften

STRONG

becalm cheer compose console dulcify help hush lighten lull quiet quieten settle square still stroke subdue tranquilize unburden

WEAK

balm butter up calm down cool off make nice make up patch things up play up to pour oil on smooth down take the edge off take the sting out untrouble

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate agitate incite increase intensify irritate provoke trouble upset worry worsen

STRONG

arouse bring down depress discourage disturb excite hurt move

WEAK

distress

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The ceasefire definitely soothes our nerves, hoping it stays this way. The crew is finally taking a breather," an off-duty captain of a ship, whose crew is stranded off Qatar, told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

When it is coded simply as generalized anxiety or OCD, patients often receive reassurance or validation that briefly soothes them but ultimately reinforces the fixation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

The wrap that soothes, satisfies, and somehow feels smug and approachable at the same time.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

Even when that order is part of America itself, individual heroism soothes the audience with the promise that the world’s wrongs can be righted with enough derring-do.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2024

Water always soothes me: hearing its movement, swimming in it, or watching the waves tumble.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio