CALMING Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

calming 1 of 3

adjective

as in relaxing

tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress a calming glass of warm milk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

calming

2 of 3

noun

as in soothing

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Dissimilar Words

calming

3 of 3

verb

present participle of calm

as in lulling

to free from distress or disturbance the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in containing

to gain emotional or mental control of he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of calming

Adjective

There’s nothing more calming than watching people try to redo their houses into the home of their dreams. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Warm nutmeg milk Milk delivers tryptophan and calcium, while a pinch of nutmeg brings mild calming compounds. — Patsy Anthony, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 In fact, more color, depth, and contrast can be more calming than cool, crisp white spaces. — Steven John, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 The property has 21 private cottages, each simple, calming, and tech-free, promoting deep rest and focus. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Some studies suggest that L-theanine may increase alpha waves in the brain, which have a calming, relaxing effect and can improve sleep quality. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 2 Oct. 2026 This tea had a calming effect, but was not a get-thee-to-dreamtown sleep aid. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 Spend 20 to 30 minutes before bed on a calming, screen-free activity, like reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 28 Sep. 2026 The film’s soundtrack, composed of lots of love songs, is like a calming anthem for the Alpha Gang. — Cortlyn Kelly, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

The idea is that these stocks benefit from a calming of tensions in the Middle East, regardless of what happens with AI spending near term. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 July 2026 As a very high-octane, easily stressed gal in the entertainment industry, Dave is my calming, grounding force. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 The swinging design and compression help with vestibular input and calming. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 At the same time, glycerin, squalane, and tremella mushrooms keep skin comfortably hydrated, while calming extras like bisabolol and Centella asiatica (cica) minimize the chance of irritation. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026 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

There’s a tranquil adults-only atmosphere here, soundtracked by calming music and decorated with figurative wooden and golden statues by local sculptors Aron Demetz and Peter Senoner. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 My morning routine isn’t complete without two calming yet energizing cups of green tea. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Garnier Skinactive Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizer pairs its wrinkle-reducing active ingredients with calming and hydrating ones like vitamin E, so that all skin types can benefit from it. — Jenny Berg, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2026 Many longtime residents have developed habits to calm their minds during these exceptional conditions — meditation, a dip in the ocean to trigger the calming mammalian dive response, support groups to talk through the pain. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The neurologist outlined the following five strategies for recognizing these patterns, calming the nervous system and developing healthier responses to stress. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Kjærvik said calming exercises, social support, group discussion, or other aspects of a retreat are more likely to explain why participants might feel calmer afterward than venting. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 The top trade envoys for China and the European Union wrapped up two days of talks Friday aimed at calming escalating tensions over growing imbalances between the two giant economies. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 The latest, directed by Julio Quintana, stars Zachary Levi and is fitfully diverting, draped with calming New Mexico scenery. — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calming

Adjective

In general, the reduction of decision-making to easy choices was, for me, possibly the most relaxing element of all.

— Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Expansive exterior decks and a generous flybridge create space for entertaining, relaxing, or even exercising in the great outdoors.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxing

Verb

Parsons went on to self-release multiple full-length soundtrack albums of ominous sci-fi pads, glitchy electronics, and lulling melodies before A24 announced the release of a feature-length film.

— Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
The project was about permeating the masses, gradually lulling them with propaganda.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of lulling

Verb

Instead, her attackers started ripping her gear off her body – her camera bag, her lenses, her pouch containing her American passport, credit cards, documents and other items.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Meghan said a letter containing allegations against Thomas Markle was sent to the authorities and later shared with her.

— Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of containing

Adjective

The meals here strike a strong balance between comforting and elevated, and all ingredients are locally sourced.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
In a city where change is constant — especially in the food and beverage scene — Charlotte’s classic restaurants are among the most beloved places to gather with family and friends or stop in for a comforting bite to eat.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of comforting

Verb

Gash love composing songs whose intersecting lines set the entire mood of the song—jarring, dreamy, or nostalgic—in the style of art-house sampling.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Lyall pulled out his phone and began composing a message for Claude, the AI app from Anthropic.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of composing

Verb

Patrick Mahomes finished the job by scrambling up the middle, simultaneously giving the Chiefs an early lead and quieting some doubts about his reconstructed ACL and LCL.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Use the words that suit the tone of the piece, and that might mean quieting your inner voice, or the voice of your mother.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of quieting

Cite this Entry

Style

“Calming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calming. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of calming

adjective

noun

verb

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