v. 25B6; verb
Rachel tried to soothe him : CALM (DOWN), pacify, comfort, hush, quiet, subdue, settle (down), lull, tranquillize; appease, conciliate, mollify; Brit. quieten (down).
an anaesthetic to soothe the pain : ALLEVIATE, ease, relieve, take the edge off, assuage, allay, lessen, palliate, diminish, decrease, dull, blunt, deaden.
agitate, aggravate.