| Library / English Dictionary |
SOOTHING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Freeing from fear and anxiety
Synonyms:
assuasive; soothing
Classified under:
Similar:
reassuring (restoring confidence and relieving anxiety)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Affording physical relief
Example:
a soothing ointment for her sunburn
Classified under:
Similar:
comfortable; comfy (providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief ('comfy' is informal))
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb soothe
Context examples:
“Never mind, Tommy,” I said, placing a soothing hand on his shoulder.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
You can renovate your kitchen or paint your bedroom a soothing shade of blue.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
He put a quarter in the youngster's hand and held him in his arms a moment, soothing his sobs.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
The practitioner guides the patient into a semi-hypnotic state by verbally introducing positive and soothing images.
(Imagery Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)
So far went his understanding; and his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in the Admiral's situation in life, which was just high enough, and not too high.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
The evening wore away with no abatement of this soothing politeness; and her spirits were gradually raised to a modest tranquillity.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
I believe it was an inspiration rather than a temptation: it was very genial, very soothing—I know that.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
All the peace and soothing of quiet Nature lay in that dark curtain of vegetation, but away from behind there came ever the one message from our fellow-man.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It was in this way that the grey cub learned other attributes of his mother than the soft, soothing tongue.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
There is something soothing in the idea that we have the same friend, and that whatever unhappy differences of opinion may exist between us, we are united in our love of you.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
