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

In other words, it soothes the burning sensation that endurance athletes experience in their muscles when they are pushing themselves to the limit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

It soothes public discomfort, offering a savior archetype instead of a policy fix.

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2025

I have a friend who puts together jigsaw puzzles and it calms her and soothes her.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025

To see them all the way out here soothes him, as though he has turned and found an old friend floating beside him in the middle of the sea.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr