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soothe

SOOTH /suːð/

verbB2TOEFLIELTS

general

Gently calm a person or feeling; relieve or ease pain or distress.

Applies both physically (soothing a sore throat) and emotionally (soothing a crying infant or hurt ego).

The story behind the word. In Old English, 'sōþ' meant 'truth' (seen in 'forsooth'). To soothe originally meant to verify or agree with someone ('yes, true'). Assenting to people calmed their anger, so the verb evolved from 'confirming truth' to 'calming distress'.

Word relationships

mollify: Mollify specifically implies reducing someone's anger or hostility, whereas soothe is broader and includes easing physical discomfort or sorrow.
allay: Allay focuses on removing fears or doubts, while soothe emphasizes physical or emotional comfort.

irritate: Irritate means to inflame physically or annoy mentally.
exacerbate: Exacerbate means to make a problem, pain, or bad situation worse.

Commonly confused with

soothsayer: A soothsayer is a truth-teller or fortune teller (from Old English 'sōþ' = truth), whereas soothe means to calm.

Word family

soothing (adjective): Having a gently calming or relieving effect.
soothingly (adverb): In a way that calms or relieves.

Collocations

soothe sore muscles
soothe frayed nerves
soothe anxieties
soothe the mind

Idioms & expressions

soothe the savage beast

Example sentences

"Soft classical music helped to soothe the restless toddler to sleep." Parenting
"Applying aloe vera gel will soothe the painful sunburn on your shoulders." Medical / Health

Memory hook

SOOTHE is smooth for your throat and mind. Gentle balm for body and mind.

When not to use

Do not use for forcible suppression of violent riots or armed uprisings.

Fun facts

William Congreve's famous 1697 line is often misquoted: 'Music has charms to soothe a savage breast' (frequently misquoted as 'savage beast').