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
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
This is a comforting meal that is anything but bland.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Few foods feel as instantly comforting as a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup, especially during cold weather or illness.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
We were greeted with hot barley tea and quickly settled into a comforting welcome-back cup of chawanmushi, the silky egg custard served hot with hidden bits of shrimp, enoki mushrooms and salmon roe.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Having something familiar to read, especially during turbulence or delays, can be grounding and comforting.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Here, the food is all comforting and familiar (eggs, pancakes and omelets for breakfast; meatloaf, burgers and roasted turkey for lunch).
—Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
There's an oddly comforting feeling along Minnesota's North Shore in winter—one of being wholly alone yet never quite so.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
No more comforting narratives to tell for the sole benefit of billionaire franchise owners reluctant to properly invest in a rebuilding effort once every 20 years or so.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
The blanket is crafted with 100 percent cotton fabric that provides a plush, buttery-soft, and comforting feel.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Season two of the now award-winning, critical and commercial hit medical drama once again kicks things off with Robby heading to the hospital for his shift, but aside from our fearless leader being back on our screens, the whole setup feels less than comforting this time around.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
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
The cocoa butter and sandalwood in the base give it this fluffy, comforting quality that keeps it from being one-dimensional.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 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
Adjective
When winter settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s something especially comforting about slowing down and staying close to home.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
This is a comforting meal that is anything but bland.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Few foods feel as instantly comforting as a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup, especially during cold weather or illness.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
We were greeted with hot barley tea and quickly settled into a comforting welcome-back cup of chawanmushi, the silky egg custard served hot with hidden bits of shrimp, enoki mushrooms and salmon roe.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Having something familiar to read, especially during turbulence or delays, can be grounding and comforting.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Here, the food is all comforting and familiar (eggs, pancakes and omelets for breakfast; meatloaf, burgers and roasted turkey for lunch).
—Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
There's an oddly comforting feeling along Minnesota's North Shore in winter—one of being wholly alone yet never quite so.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
No more comforting narratives to tell for the sole benefit of billionaire franchise owners reluctant to properly invest in a rebuilding effort once every 20 years or so.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Winter calls for comforting warm desserts like good old fashioned apple crisp with a crunchy topping.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
The blanket is crafted with 100 percent cotton fabric that provides a plush, buttery-soft, and comforting feel.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Season two of the now award-winning, critical and commercial hit medical drama once again kicks things off with Robby heading to the hospital for his shift, but aside from our fearless leader being back on our screens, the whole setup feels less than comforting this time around.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
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
The cocoa butter and sandalwood in the base give it this fluffy, comforting quality that keeps it from being one-dimensional.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
The start of the second half was encouraging for the Heat, which cut the deficit to seven points multiple times in the third quarter.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The experience gave each child a chance to practice communication and reading skills in a warm and encouraging atmosphere.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Sue Glass Redondo Beach Hope everyone had a nice relaxing offseason.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Onboard/Offboard is a series that explores the can't-miss highlights of our favorite cruises—from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up.—
Madison Flager,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These statements are meant to give workers reassurance that AI won’t completely replace people, highlighting an irreplaceable human trait that the technology supposedly cannot acquire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
At the Embassy, Rubio spoke to staffers in the courtyard and could do little more than try to offer reassurance.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Financial discussions will be reassuring.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Witkoff had indicated progress in talks about protecting and reassuring Ukraine.—
John Leicester,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Growing papaya from seed is rewarding because these fast-growing plants can produce sweet fruit at home.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
13 Jan. 2026
-
But this southeast Wisconsin town just off I-43 (and only two hours from Chicago) makes an easy, rewarding day trip or a relaxed overnight.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
13 Jan. 2026
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
-
Obviously, the state has a vested interest in assuring that there’s plenty of electricity available to power this major tax-generating sector.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Carmelo preached patience, assuring Kiyan his time would come.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Set up your own cafe with deals on this convenient one-cup coffee maker and best-selling milk frother, plus keep your coffee hot all day with this mug warmer.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Further, thanks to the faux fur lining and waterproof leather exterior, your feet remain toasty warm and completely dry, no matter the conditions.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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