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
Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Some of the behaviors most strongly associated with deep, durable love don’t feel comforting in the moment at all.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Chili dogs Smith also recommends a fun take on two American classics — hot dogs and chili — that come together as an easy, inexpensive and comforting meal.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For those with dry skin, the comforting formula is powered by nourishing jojoba and olive oils that dissolve dirt and SPF without stripping away the good stuff.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
As the future feels uncertain, people want something simultaneously new and comforting.
—Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Bedsure Soft-Ribbed Flannel Electric Blanket There’s nothing like the comforting warmth of a heated blanket, and this classic double-sided design delivers on every level.
—Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Different name, same comforting, spoonable base.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Within this moment, coated in the sugary haze of professional success, a new home, a beautiful wife, and a growing young family warmed by the comforting glow of Christmas-time, Jackie Robinson has never been more ascendant, more complete, more American.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Each bite mixed warm and cold, crisp and smooth – an easy, comforting finish to my little taste of summer.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
Butternut Ginger Soup This perfect winter soup, rich and comforting without the need for cream, offers among the highest amounts of potassium per serving.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2026
The latest branch is in Canary Wharf, with a menu focusing on comforting Italian classics.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There’s something comforting about returning to the films that made the genre so beloved in the first place, where misunderstandings feel harmless and happy endings are practically guaranteed.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Back at her property, the yard between her two houses is mostly intact, including a Hachiya persimmon tree, which in December was heavy with fruit, comforting lanterns in the charred landscape, signaling season.
—Erica Zora Wrightson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
For lunch, expect comforting classics like roast beef, turkey with gravy, and Philly cheesesteak.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026
Including hearty soups and stews, comforting baked goods, and steaming drinks, these snow-day recipes are perfect for warming up your home (and your belly) when the world outside is frozen solid.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The couple's daughter recalled a warm and comforting childhood.
—Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Some of the behaviors most strongly associated with deep, durable love don’t feel comforting in the moment at all.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Chili dogs Smith also recommends a fun take on two American classics — hot dogs and chili — that come together as an easy, inexpensive and comforting meal.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For those with dry skin, the comforting formula is powered by nourishing jojoba and olive oils that dissolve dirt and SPF without stripping away the good stuff.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
As the future feels uncertain, people want something simultaneously new and comforting.
—Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Bedsure Soft-Ribbed Flannel Electric Blanket There’s nothing like the comforting warmth of a heated blanket, and this classic double-sided design delivers on every level.
—Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Different name, same comforting, spoonable base.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Within this moment, coated in the sugary haze of professional success, a new home, a beautiful wife, and a growing young family warmed by the comforting glow of Christmas-time, Jackie Robinson has never been more ascendant, more complete, more American.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
This cafeteria-style macaroni and cheese recipe is full of comforting flavor.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Each bite mixed warm and cold, crisp and smooth – an easy, comforting finish to my little taste of summer.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
Butternut Ginger Soup This perfect winter soup, rich and comforting without the need for cream, offers among the highest amounts of potassium per serving.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2026
The latest branch is in Canary Wharf, with a menu focusing on comforting Italian classics.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There’s something comforting about returning to the films that made the genre so beloved in the first place, where misunderstandings feel harmless and happy endings are practically guaranteed.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Back at her property, the yard between her two houses is mostly intact, including a Hachiya persimmon tree, which in December was heavy with fruit, comforting lanterns in the charred landscape, signaling season.
—Erica Zora Wrightson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
For lunch, expect comforting classics like roast beef, turkey with gravy, and Philly cheesesteak.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026
Including hearty soups and stews, comforting baked goods, and steaming drinks, these snow-day recipes are perfect for warming up your home (and your belly) when the world outside is frozen solid.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
His manner, at least, is encouraging.—
Robert Lloyd,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
-
There were a lot of encouraging signs.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For a more relaxing itinerary, book a mineral water soak in the bathhouse at Carson Hot Springs Resort, which has been providing access to pure hot spring waters since the early 1900s.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Other than that, hot water can be a relaxing treat at other points in the day.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Supplements certified for sport provide additional reassurance that the product has been tested and verified for quality, purity, and safety.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This proposal also reflects feedback from Baltimore County residents who are seeking reassurance that public institutions are operating transparently and responsibly.—
Carl Jackson,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the images were aimed less at reassuring the public than at boosting morale among the regime’s weakening security forces.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
His one reassuring constant has been little Bolo.—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For players like Boutte and slot receiver DeMario Douglas, 2023 draftees who were around for both of New England’s 4-13 clunkers, this run has been especially rewarding.—
Zack Cox,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2026
-
So have consumers, rewarding automakers like Toyota, which never went all-in on all-electric and insisted hybrids were the short-term future, and hurting automakers like Porsche and Ford, which both made bigger bets on all-electric.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Being loved does not always feel soothing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
White, who finished with 10 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes, passed the ball out where it was stolen by Atwell, who missed another deep 3 with one tick remaining, assuring KU the win.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
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Some fears exist among the British right that Reform’s success could still be squashed by an alliance of Labour, the Green Party, the Lib Dems, and a confederation of minor parties if a pact is not struck with the Conservatives, assuring a unified right-wing bloc.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet, on a warm fall afternoon, while playing hide-and-seek with other kids in her mother's yard, the petite 6-year-old girl wearing a sundress vanished.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
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The team will drill through the ice and deploy instruments nearly 1,000 meters below the surface to measure how warm ocean water interacts with the glacier base.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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