What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
soothe
Example
The mother tried to soothe her crying baby by rocking him gently. [soothe: verb]
Example
The ointment helped soothe the irritation on my skin. [soothe: verb]
Example
The soft music helped to soothe her nerves before the big presentation. [soothe: verb]
calm
Example
She took a deep breath to calm herself before the job interview. [calm: verb]
Example
The therapist taught him techniques to calm his anxiety. [calm: verb]
Example
The police officer worked to calm the crowd after the accident. [calm: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Calm is more commonly used than soothe in everyday language. Calm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while soothe is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between soothe and calm?
Both soothe and calm can be used in formal and informal contexts, but calm may be more commonly used in professional or academic settings due to its broader range of applications.
