Soothing thing to say, sadly (5)

I believe the answer is:

sorry

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'soothing' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sorry that I've seen before include "Contrite" , "pathetic!" , "Penitent; regrettable" , "Feeling regret" , "Feeling penitence" .)

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