Synonyms of calming

calming 1 of 3

adjective

as in relaxing

tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress

a calming glass of warm milk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relaxing
• soothing
• tranquilizing
• comforting
• quieting
• hypnotic
• sedative
• dreamy
• narcotic
• lulling
• pacifying
• opiate
• depressant
• analgesic
• anesthetic
• deadening
• anodyne
• antidepressant
• antianxiety
• numbing
• antistress
• antidepression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• painful
• stressful
• unsettling
• troubling
• tiresome
• stimulating
• trying
• worrisome
• stimulant
• troublesome
• disturbing
• irritating
• energizing
• annoying
• frustrating
• aggravating
• invigorating
• maddening
• exasperating
• bothersome
• irksome
• vexing
• vexatious
• galling
• harassing
• grating
• nettlesome

calming

2 of 3

noun

as in soothing

Related Words

• soothing
• decrease
• salving
• mitigation
• moderation
• appeasement
• assuagement
• relief
• alleviation
• mollification
• ease
• diminishment
• comfort
• release

Dissimilar Words

• discomfort
• unrest
• suffering
• anguish
• torture
• misery
• torment
• agony
• pain
• stitch
• sting
• ache
• pang
• prick
• twinge
• smart
• tingle
• throe

calming

3 of 3

verb

present participle of calm

1

as in lulling

to free from distress or disturbance

the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soothing
• lulling
• composing
• quieting
• relaxing
• appeasing
• tranquilizing
• stilling
• relieving
• salving
• quietening
• settling
• becalming
• hushing
• quelling
• pacifying
• lullabying
• placating
• mollifying
• easing
• alleviating
• conciliating
• mitigating
• allaying
• sedating
• solacing
• assuaging
• laying
• stupefying
• narcotizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturbing
• upsetting
• disquieting
• agitating
• perturbing
• vexing
• keying (up)
• intensifying
• aggravating
• heightening
• exciting
• arousing
• stirring (up)
• inciting
• rousing
• discomposing
• fomenting
• working up

2

as in containing

to gain emotional or mental control of

he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• containing
• composing
• controlling
• restraining
• collecting
• settling
• soothing
• re-collecting
• holding back
• quieting
• tranquilizing
• lulling
• recovering
• rallying
• stilling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of calming

Adjective

But the interiors were sophisticated, very calming, and in keeping with the stunning natural world surrounding, there was lots of wood, and lots of nooks and hammocks to bed down in and relax with a good book. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

Your bathtub should feel like a calming place to unwind and enjoy an inviting soak after a long day. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026

Its calming, subtly sweet and earthy-yet-spicy fragrance changes the dynamic of any room. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026

Herbal options like chamomile may offer mild calming effects as well. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026

That might mean slipping on an eye mask, starting a calming podcast, and sipping water or herbal tea. —Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026

Bednar owns a ring and has established himself as a calming influence. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026

Some people are looking for something social; others want something functional and calming. —Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

With the former sitting at a prestige price point and the latter no longer on shelves, many fragrance fans have been left searching for new ways to get their fix of the calming, slightly creamy green tea note. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026

Noun

But the only peace on Concrète Waves is the occasional pullback, a calming of the storm rather than the coming of a resolution. —Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026

There is self-regulation going on in the initial stages of spiritual development, and this is where calming does come into play. —Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026

Verb

Hug a Therapy Llama Therapy llamas and alpacas are calming fliers' nerves at this US airport. —Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026

Maybe that was a way of calming his nerves, but the upshot is to give him a disaffected air that’s almost Lou Reed adjacent. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

When in Doubt, Choose a Dusty Pastel When designing this nursery, Darden drew inspiration from the calming pale color scheme of Marie-Antoinette's estate, the Petit Trianon. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026

For resident Karnie Moesenthin, the experience was calming. —Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

During that time, participants heard calming or unsettling music. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Inside the formula, castor oil, soybean oil, and panthenol leave hair smooth and shiny, while calming chamomile and calendula extracts keep your scalp irritation-free. —Sarah Felbin, Allure, 26 Apr. 2026

This can help lower stress levels and beautify your home, creating a calming environment. —Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Trade shocking shades like neon green and chartreuse for timeless shades of green that inspire a rejuvenating feel in the morning and a calming atmosphere in the evening. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026