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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
There is something comforting, to me, about this churn of champions and challengers.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Listening to this album, there’s something so comforting about hearing your voice and the tone of it.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Feeling understood is comforting, but leadership asks something different from us.
—Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The chicken thighs stay juicy and crispy when baked and make for a comforting meal when served with mashed potatoes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Alex and Harrison prepared for his birth with plenty of quality time and comforting moments.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The pancakes are fluffy, soft and chewy, the sausage is comforting and the biscuit is probably one of the best in Charlotte.
—Shindy Chen
april 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Coming here feels nice, familiar, and comforting.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Talking things through with them can be comforting and grounding.
—Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
That's comforting news to neighbors.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Continental Legacy features comforting meals that India’s monarchs would have served their visiting guests from the continent, going from a Velouté de Morilles to an English trifle pudding.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Antica Locanda doles out comforting Sicilian dishes, from platters of fresh fish to generous bowls of seafood pasta.
—Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
This simple, comforting recipe is a homestyle Mexican treat consisting of sweet potatoes simmered in a brown sugar syrup with cinnamon and cloves.
—Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026
There is nothing comforting about life in Ukraine today.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
In fact, small ordinary actions — comforting a crying baby, doing karaoke, checking on a patient after your shift — have to mean more.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Save your hammam for the evening and head straight to bed afterwards for the most comforting results.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
There is something comforting, to me, about this churn of champions and challengers.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Listening to this album, there’s something so comforting about hearing your voice and the tone of it.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Feeling understood is comforting, but leadership asks something different from us.
—Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The chicken thighs stay juicy and crispy when baked and make for a comforting meal when served with mashed potatoes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Alex and Harrison prepared for his birth with plenty of quality time and comforting moments.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The pancakes are fluffy, soft and chewy, the sausage is comforting and the biscuit is probably one of the best in Charlotte.
—Shindy Chen
april 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Coming here feels nice, familiar, and comforting.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
The result is a more filling, comforting bowl with minimal effort.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Talking things through with them can be comforting and grounding.
—Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
That's comforting news to neighbors.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Continental Legacy features comforting meals that India’s monarchs would have served their visiting guests from the continent, going from a Velouté de Morilles to an English trifle pudding.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Antica Locanda doles out comforting Sicilian dishes, from platters of fresh fish to generous bowls of seafood pasta.
—Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
This simple, comforting recipe is a homestyle Mexican treat consisting of sweet potatoes simmered in a brown sugar syrup with cinnamon and cloves.
—Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026
There is nothing comforting about life in Ukraine today.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
In fact, small ordinary actions — comforting a crying baby, doing karaoke, checking on a patient after your shift — have to mean more.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
The Rockies, back home after an encouraging 4-2 road trip, were in control of the game early behind another strong start from veteran left-hander Jose Quintana and another big night from Mickey Moniak, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
-
Kenyon told me that although the mice research is encouraging, a drug pathway that successfully extends a dog’s life will generate more enthusiasm among scientists who hope to try similar treatments on humans.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
This spring, just outside the dining room, Shahniani will add the Expoterrace, a relaxing patio with a fountain, waterfalls and lush plants inspired by Living with the Land at Epcot in Florida.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Tropea Beach, which sits on Tyrrhenian Sea in the southern part of Italy’s Calabria region, is the world’s most relaxing beach, according to a new study.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Valve on Tuesday announced release details for the Steam Controller, alongside reassurances that its Steam Frame and Steam Machine gadgets are still on track for future release.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Focusing on practical reassurance?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the event went off without a security hitch, which was likely reassuring to members of Congress shaken by Saturday night's press dinner incident.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
That may sound reassuring at first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Looking for a hike with one of the most rewarding steps-to-vista ratios out there?—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The logic here is peak modern NBA, and the league wants to make being slightly below average more rewarding than being truly terrible.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For designer Anita Yokota, Benjamin Moore’s Smoky Blue is a standout—a soothing, nature-nodding hue that soothes on sight.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
-
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.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Agreements made publicly available in court battles and public record requests, such as for El Salvador, Rwanda and Eswatini, have included language assuring that countries uphold international law around protections for refugees and against torture.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
That grip is reinforced by a litany of electronic nannies, all of which translate to an assuring sense of control and eagerness to discover more of the Valhalla’s powerfully balletic nature.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When deep sleep is fragmented by alcohol, a warm bedroom or an inconsistent bedtime, the entire circuit falters and growth hormone output drops significantly.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Provide afternoon shade in warm climates.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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