soothe

"The losing team made a concession early in the game, acknowledging they had no chance of winning. "

"The park offered a moment of tranquility from the busy city. "

"The witness gave testimony about what she saw during the schoolyard fight. "

"The upcoming exam filled her with anxieties about failing the course. "

"The politician, unwilling to commit to a specific answer, began to temporise, hoping the interviewer would move on to another topic. "

"The student's truthfulness about the cheating incident earned him some respect, even though he faced consequences. "

"The teacher asked us to write statements about what we learned in class today. "

"The United States is in an awkward situation with debt default looming."

"Is anyone here afraid of suffering hardship?"

"The explanation was long and drawn-out."

"He was an especially obnoxious and detestable specimen of a man."

"Would it bother you if I smoked?"