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
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The local cuisine is a celebration of bold flavors and comforting tradition.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
There's a comforting aspect to it.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In ice cream form, sticky toffee is accomplished by pairing a butterscotch ice cream with tender pieces of pear cake, echoing the warm, nostalgic flavors of the classic dessert with a comforting, seasonal twist.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
With comforting views of the lake enjoyed from every table, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
—Greyson Ferguson, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
With one location already in Tustin, Manaao Thai Comfort Food, which, as its name suggests, specializes in hearty and comforting Thai fare, will come to the Irvine Spectrum Center sometime this year.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
For most people with back pain, especially side sleepers, a medium-firm mattress should adequately support the spine while also comforting the body.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
How To Store Raw Winter Squash Winter squash are delicious and versatile, perfect for all sorts of comforting dishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Gray-haired parents, teenagers and members of the police were seen comforting one another during the service, which took place at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe in Crans-Montana.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
This silky, nostalgic, and comforting pudding is a dreamy dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Pumpkin Pie Trader Joe’s is offering their own version of a mouthwatering pumpkin pie, comforting pumpkin custard filled with sweet and spicy flavors.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The local cuisine is a celebration of bold flavors and comforting tradition.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
There's a comforting aspect to it.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In ice cream form, sticky toffee is accomplished by pairing a butterscotch ice cream with tender pieces of pear cake, echoing the warm, nostalgic flavors of the classic dessert with a comforting, seasonal twist.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
With comforting views of the lake enjoyed from every table, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
—Greyson Ferguson, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Le’s comforting Thai dishes can now be found at the food truck at Burial Beer in Plaza Midwood.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
With one location already in Tustin, Manaao Thai Comfort Food, which, as its name suggests, specializes in hearty and comforting Thai fare, will come to the Irvine Spectrum Center sometime this year.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
For most people with back pain, especially side sleepers, a medium-firm mattress should adequately support the spine while also comforting the body.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
How To Store Raw Winter Squash Winter squash are delicious and versatile, perfect for all sorts of comforting dishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Gray-haired parents, teenagers and members of the police were seen comforting one another during the service, which took place at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe in Crans-Montana.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
This silky, nostalgic, and comforting pudding is a dreamy dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Pumpkin Pie Trader Joe’s is offering their own version of a mouthwatering pumpkin pie, comforting pumpkin custard filled with sweet and spicy flavors.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
That’s two straight encouraging performances from Lopez, who went 15-for-19 for 216 yards and two touchdowns against Syracuse.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Amazingly, Exposure contestants go through hours of practice and performance each day without ever seeming to tire, and along with the competitive spirit, there’s a real sense of community, with skaters constantly encouraging, applauding, and appreciating each other.—
Lonnie Burstein Hewitt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Try these for winter gatherings, special celebrations, or simply a relaxing break from the cold.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
5 Jan. 2026
-
From navigation and communication to refrigeration and remote work, losing power on the road can quickly turn a relaxing trip into a stressful situation.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Seven lawsuits filed this week in California allege that ordinary users seeking school help, spiritual reassurance, or simple conversation were instead drawn into psychologically damaging exchanges that ultimately preceded several suicides.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Repetition is connected with ritual and, by extension, with reassurance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The music school’s director was in contact with parents, reassuring them no one was allowed in or out of the building, said Valencia-Villa.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Craft was able to sign the 6-foot-5, agile Mougey as a quarterback only after reassuring the player and his mother he wouldn’t be moved to receiver.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Musically, Lee took on the air of a woman revealing intimate truths about herself one year at a time, shedding layers as a way of rewarding patience with honesty, no matter how brutal.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Cheney received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 and later described his time at the Pentagon as the most rewarding period of his public service career.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
These are the bad bathroom layouts keeping your space from feeling like a sanctuary, and designers are sharing how to switch things up for a much more soothing space.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Warm, soothing, and comforting – chicken soup is really good for the soul.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The band released a statement assuring that Arcade Fire will continue despite the breakup.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Commerce and Civil Aviation Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said a probe had been launched to determine the cause of the fire, while assuring businesses that the firefighting response had been immediate—with 37 units deployed to control the blaze.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The National Weather Service recommends stocking essential items like non-perishable food, water and warm clothing for severe winter events.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The lookalike duo flashed their identical warm smiles while attending the Mothers & Daughters 4 Choice event back in '94.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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