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to make someone feel calm or less upset
A warm bath can soothe sore muscles after a long workout.
Taking a warm bath relaxes tired muscles after exercising.
The music soothed her nerves before the big presentation.
The music helped her feel less anxious before speaking.
Often used with physical discomfort (e.g., pain) or emotional distress.
Remember that 'soothe' is often paired with 'nerves', 'pain', or 'worries'.
'Soothe' can refer to easing physical pain or emotional distress, but the context usually makes the meaning clear.
From Middle English 'suthen', from Old English 'sōþian', meaning 'to make true' or 'to prove', later evolving to mean 'to comfort' by the 14th century.
Can be used for both physical and emotional comfort. Often followed by 'away' (e.g., 'soothe away the pain').