1
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside
the comforting smell of fresh bread
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.
—Julie Kaplow, USA Today, 30 May 2026
The show's plot revolves around tropes that are intentionally comforting and formulaic—fake dating, jock meets girl next door, and opposites attract—and evidently, the styling follows suit.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Warm unsweetened almond milk with a dash of vanilla extract and cinnamon can be another comforting option.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 27 May 2026
The comforting illusion that eliminating class rank will make students feel better about themselves will quickly dissolve in the coming wave of AI integration.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
Poulet rôti—French for roast chicken—is a simple yet comforting affair of chicken, vegetables, and herbs.
—Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
When the church hall needs something hearty, comforting, and warm, this easy casserole is the universal answer.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
The pot has been going for about three hours, and its comforting aroma has walked right through the front door and into our building’s hallway.
—Adam Rapoport, Air Mail, 23 May 2026
Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
This cozy and comforting soup brings your go-to Panera order right to your kitchen.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026
Some might call this formula comforting.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 29 May 2026
But what this act meant between the two is up for interpretation, as the kiss was shared when Agnes was comforting Becka in the moments before Becka’s wedding to Agnes’ crush, Garth (Brad Alexander).
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 28 May 2026
His team provides trauma counseling, material aid and plush toys that play comforting music.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
The family opened Nana Morrison’s with recipes inspired by Kiana’s family cooking and a belief that comforting, homemade meals would resonate with others, too.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
Early on, many infected people spread the virus to few people, which generated comforting statistics on average.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Throughout the day, friends and classmates gathered, wiping away tears, comforting each other and trying to process the sudden loss.
—Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Adjective
Nestlé's take pairs notes of vanilla and brown butter flavor with milk chocolate morsels for a chocolate chip cookie that's even more comforting.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.
—Julie Kaplow, USA Today, 30 May 2026
The show's plot revolves around tropes that are intentionally comforting and formulaic—fake dating, jock meets girl next door, and opposites attract—and evidently, the styling follows suit.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Warm unsweetened almond milk with a dash of vanilla extract and cinnamon can be another comforting option.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 27 May 2026
The comforting illusion that eliminating class rank will make students feel better about themselves will quickly dissolve in the coming wave of AI integration.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
Poulet rôti—French for roast chicken—is a simple yet comforting affair of chicken, vegetables, and herbs.
—Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
When the church hall needs something hearty, comforting, and warm, this easy casserole is the universal answer.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
The pot has been going for about three hours, and its comforting aroma has walked right through the front door and into our building’s hallway.
—Adam Rapoport, Air Mail, 23 May 2026
Verb
Our beloved vegetable side dishes and fruit-forward desserts make up the very framework of our flavor memories, conjuring fond smiles with their bright colors and comforting flavors.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
This cozy and comforting soup brings your go-to Panera order right to your kitchen.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026
Some might call this formula comforting.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 29 May 2026
But what this act meant between the two is up for interpretation, as the kiss was shared when Agnes was comforting Becka in the moments before Becka’s wedding to Agnes’ crush, Garth (Brad Alexander).
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 28 May 2026
His team provides trauma counseling, material aid and plush toys that play comforting music.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
The family opened Nana Morrison’s with recipes inspired by Kiana’s family cooking and a belief that comforting, homemade meals would resonate with others, too.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
Early on, many infected people spread the virus to few people, which generated comforting statistics on average.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Throughout the day, friends and classmates gathered, wiping away tears, comforting each other and trying to process the sudden loss.
—Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
For the Class of 2026, that’s an encouraging message.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
-
But the run-up under splash hire coach Mauricio Pochettino has been less than encouraging, though a recent 3-2 friendly win over a stout Senegal squad was a positive.—
Greg Cote
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Separate soaking tubs provide an alternative for a more relaxing bath.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Few things are more relaxing than slipping into a bubbly hot tub — being able to do it every night in the comfort of your own backyard would be pure bliss.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Now, critics are warning that the order may be short-sighted, offering only performative reassurances that the government is actively monitoring for AI risks, while changing very little about how and when models are deployed.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
-
And Crepeau’s dynamic movement was reassurance that Canada can keep playing that high line.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Sora 2, OpenAI’s problematic generative video platform, was abandoned last December, reassuring many copyright holders.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
-
Starbucks recently posted stronger-than expected quarterly earnings, reassuring investors who have been closely watching traffic trends, pricing and operational improvements under the new leadership team.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
For travelers who want to understand how bourbon is made at a slower pace, the craft side of the trail is often the more rewarding half of the trip.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
Though most visit this part of the Serengeti during wildebeest migration (typically May through October but varies depending on weather patterns), the rest of the year is equally rewarding.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Add to that the soothing rhythm of a cozy train rocking along its tracks, and everyday stresses start to melt away.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
The second is a soothing post-shave lotion that hydrates for up to 24 hours.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Miller, who said the plan for the team was to keep playing next season, even without access to the state playoffs, tried to offer consoling words.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The property is designed with all rooms on one side of the building, assuring a better view of the surrounding skyline rather than a neighboring building.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
But this wasn't a small-town mayor assuring a few dozen community members at a town hall that municipal improvement efforts would be completed in time for Little League season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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