Calmingly: meaning, definitions and examples
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calmingly
[ ˈkɑːlmɪŋli ]
manner of speaking
In a manner that has a soothing or comforting effect; promoting relaxation and peace. When someone speaks calmingly, they usually aim to alleviate anxiety or distress.
Synonyms
comfortingly, reassuringly, soothingly, tranquilly.
Examples of usage
- She spoke calmingly to the nervous child.
- The therapist explained the procedure calmingly.
- He breathed deeply and addressed the crowd calmingly.
- The music played calmingly in the background.
Etymology
The word 'calmingly' is derived from the adjective 'calm', which comes from the Latin word 'calmus', meaning 'tranquil' or 'peaceful'. The transformation of 'calm' into an adverb involves the addition of the suffix '-ly', a common method in English for converting adjectives into adverbs. This process allows the concept of being calm to be modified by how an action is performed, thus giving the word 'calmingly' its specific meaning. Over time, the use of 'calmingly' has been associated with various contexts, especially in psychology, relaxation techniques, and gentle communication. The adverb is often used in literature and everyday speech to describe actions or speech that aim to reduce tension or anxiety.