MEANING
1. To calm emotional agitation or distress.
2. To reduce an uncomfortable physical sensation, such as irritation or soreness.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- soothe a frightened child
- soothe frayed nerves
- soothe someone’s fears
On the page
She soothed the frightened child by describing each step of the rescue.
His familiar voice soothed her even before she understood the words.
Quiet music helped soothe their nerves during the long wait.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- soothe / soothes
- Past tense
- soothed
- Past participle
- soothed
- Present participle
- soothing
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- soothe / soothes
- Present continuous
- am/is/are soothing
- Present perfect
- have/has soothed
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been soothing
- Past
- soothed
- Past continuous
- was/were soothing
- Past perfect
- had soothed
- Past perfect continuous
- had been soothing
- Future
- will soothe / soothes
- Future continuous
- will be soothing
- Future perfect
- will have soothed
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been soothing
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Fear is only one possible cause of the agitation. Often implies a gentle voice, touch, or atmosphere rather than an argument proving safety. Verb forms (base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing): soothe, soothes, soothed, soothed, soothing.
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