soothe

verb

ˈsüt͟h How to pronounce soothe (audio)
soothed; soothing
Synonyms of soothe

transitive verb

1
: to please by or as if by attention or concern : placate
2
: relieve, alleviate
soothe a cough
3
: to bring comfort, solace, or reassurance to
music soothes the soul

intransitive verb

: to bring peace, composure, or quietude
soother noun

Synonyms of soothe

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Examples of soothe in a Sentence

The waiter tried to soothe the angry customer. This cream soothes aching muscles. Her nerves were soothed by a warm bath. Nothing can soothe their pain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The luxurious pick is made with squalane to soothe and prevent irritation and peptides to smooth visible signs of aging. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 Those are just buzzwords to soothe the alumni who aren’t plugged into the new paradigm. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Death itself arriving in the room, a shrouded presence that was, unexpectedly, soothing. — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026 If your goals involve improving sleep, soothing digestive discomfort, or supporting healthy blood pressure without caffeine, herbal tisanes like chamomile, peppermint, or hibiscus are excellent choices. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soothe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sothen to verify, from Old English sōthian, from sōth

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of soothe was in 1617

Rhymes for soothe

See All Rhymes for soothe

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Soothe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soothe. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

soothe

verb
ˈsüt͟h How to pronounce soothe (audio)
soothed; soothing
1
: to please by or as if by attention or concern : placate
2
: alleviate, relieve
the lotion soothed his sunburn
3
: to bring comfort : calm down
music soothes the soul

More from Merriam-Webster on soothe

Nglish: Translation of soothe for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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