1
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside
the comforting smell of fresh bread
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
a long comforting soak in a hot bath
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reassurance
the giving of hope and strength in times of grief, distress, or suffering
the comforting of the sick has always been regarded as one of the major acts of charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in reassuring
to ease the grief or distress of
the first responders did their best to comfort the victims of the terrible tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of comforting
Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Where their debut roars, jabbing with hooks, Two Wheels Move the Soul instead inverts the noise until the sound becomes pillowy and comforting.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
But the result had all the concentrated, savory depth that makes beef stew so comforting and craveable.
—Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
This dish tastes like the comforting post-holiday meals of our childhood.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
This version of online extremism’s story is a comforting one.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
After three days on the lam, Chesney was coaxed back with comforting voices and familiar scents.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Full of hearty flavors and filling vegetables, this rustic, comforting dinner comes together swiftly thanks to your slow cooker.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
The paper also makes important distinctions about the path to that future, and not all of them are comforting for workers navigating the transition today.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The doc sees Hood appealing to the local government, leading protests, and comforting Littlejohn’s family.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
The rescue dog from Huntington Beach, California, who worked as a dedicated therapy dog comforting veterans, was a five-time dog surfing world champion and was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame in 2024, according to the Surfers' Hall of Fame website.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
For quite some time, the repetitive daily schedule was comforting for a methodical person such as myself.
—Des Moines Register, 29 Mar. 2026
No, a restaurant where conviviality flows like a broken water main, and the food is rich, comforting and detonating with flavor.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
The Vatican released on Monday details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming four-nation Africa tour, suggesting Christian-Muslim relations, comforting victims of violence and encouraging the Catholic community in former European colonies will be key themes.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The favorite of the bunch was the Cinnamon Caramel offering, which tasted comforting and cozy like fall.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Where their debut roars, jabbing with hooks, Two Wheels Move the Soul instead inverts the noise until the sound becomes pillowy and comforting.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
But the result had all the concentrated, savory depth that makes beef stew so comforting and craveable.
—Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
This dish tastes like the comforting post-holiday meals of our childhood.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
This version of online extremism’s story is a comforting one.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
After three days on the lam, Chesney was coaxed back with comforting voices and familiar scents.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
Food and drink A destination among Parisians, the old-world brasserie on the ground-floor has plush banquettes and soaring ceilings and serves up comforting Parisian classics, from chicken liver pâté to roasted pork belly with crisp frites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Full of hearty flavors and filling vegetables, this rustic, comforting dinner comes together swiftly thanks to your slow cooker.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
The paper also makes important distinctions about the path to that future, and not all of them are comforting for workers navigating the transition today.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The doc sees Hood appealing to the local government, leading protests, and comforting Littlejohn’s family.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
The rescue dog from Huntington Beach, California, who worked as a dedicated therapy dog comforting veterans, was a five-time dog surfing world champion and was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame in 2024, according to the Surfers' Hall of Fame website.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
For quite some time, the repetitive daily schedule was comforting for a methodical person such as myself.
—Des Moines Register, 29 Mar. 2026
No, a restaurant where conviviality flows like a broken water main, and the food is rich, comforting and detonating with flavor.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
The Vatican released on Monday details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming four-nation Africa tour, suggesting Christian-Muslim relations, comforting victims of violence and encouraging the Catholic community in former European colonies will be key themes.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
Davies' assist for Karl's winner marked an encouraging return from a hamstring injury for the Canada left back ahead of the World Cup.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the severity of his injuries, McManus notes, Peanut's prognosis is encouraging.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Few things can ruin a relaxing afternoon outdoors faster than an uninvited wasp buzzing around your head.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The cocooning effect is helped along by Jacques Garcia’s interiors, layered with taupes and burgundies, velvet and lacquer (and some 6,000 meters of damask silk thrown in the mix), into a hideaway that’s both ornate and relaxing.—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While the local ordinance would be similar to the rules outlined in the TRUST Act, residents said that the ordinance would provide another level of safety and reassurance.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Residents deserve reassurances that this grandiose project won’t break the bank.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Altman was reassuring, mirroring these safety concerns.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Many people in the FLDS did not believe that Sam was a prophet and actually rejected him, which is reassuring.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The sheer volume of information people take in every day can make a quiet pause even more essential and rewarding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Congress should reauthorize and modernize the Work Opportunity Tax Credit by strengthening accountability, rewarding veteran retention, incentivizing proactive recruitment, and expanding eligibility to military spouses.—
Brooke Creek,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Spray dry toilet paper with cleansing, soothing and refreshing Pristine to create an instant wet wipe that is actually flushable and safe for your sewer and septic systems.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There’s something genuinely soothing about checking out for a while—letting a place wash over you, no agenda, no expectations.—
John Vorwald,
Robb Report,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bono shared a note with fans, once again assuring them that a new album is still in the works, and that these EPs are side detours on the way to a wholly separate full-length.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pelle Larsson added 20 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for Miami (40-36), which kept some realistic hope of getting out of the play-in tournament range — or at least getting into one of the top two spots and therefore assuring itself two chances of making the playoffs — alive with the win.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sweet, savory, warm and dependable.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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