What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
therapeutic
Example
The massage was very therapeutic for my sore muscles. [therapeutic: adjective]
Example
She found gardening to be a therapeutic activity that helped her cope with stress. [therapeutic: adjective]
soothing
Example
The sound of the waves was very soothing and helped me fall asleep. [soothing: adjective]
Example
The lotion had a soothing effect on my sunburned skin. [soothing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Soothing is more commonly used than therapeutic in everyday language. Soothing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while therapeutic is less common and refers specifically to treatments or practices that promote healing or recovery.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between therapeutic and soothing?
While therapeutic is typically associated with a more formal or clinical tone, soothing is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
