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
Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
The biscuit topping makes this chicken pot pie extra comforting and satisfying.
—Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
The darkness, however grim, is more comforting than the glare or the ever-present mound of dirt that looks all too much like a grave waiting to be filled.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
Hearty, comforting, and big on flavor, this stew is worth adding to your weeknight rotation.
—Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
This vast bundle of life and existence whirrs continually, creating the comforting harmonic tone that defines this place.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Best Postpartum Recovery Spray After labor, recovery is one of those new mom experiences no one really talks about, but finding a comforting solution shouldn’t be a secret.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
The favorite of the bunch was the Cinnamon Caramel offering, which tasted comforting and cozy like fall.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
But the result had all the concentrated, savory depth that makes beef stew so comforting and craveable.
—Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
From orphans to widows, thousands of Armenians have found nourishment from this community protagonist, who is still comforting children who habitually ration their birthday cake.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The Big Four restaurant, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, draws a local crowd with classic, comforting dishes and a warm, clubby atmosphere.
—John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
The attempt at comforting the nation comes after a shocking statement the president posted on social media in the early morning hours of April 7.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Food and drink A destination among Parisians, the old-world brasserie on the ground-floor has plush banquettes and soaring ceilings and serves up comforting Parisian classics, from chicken liver pâté to roasted pork belly with crisp frites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
The paper also makes important distinctions about the path to that future, and not all of them are comforting for workers navigating the transition today.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The doc sees Hood appealing to the local government, leading protests, and comforting Littlejohn’s family.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
The rescue dog from Huntington Beach, California, who worked as a dedicated therapy dog comforting veterans, was a five-time dog surfing world champion and was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame in 2024, according to the Surfers' Hall of Fame website.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Certain low-grade forms of depression can be easy to embrace, as familiar and comforting as an old friend.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
The biscuit topping makes this chicken pot pie extra comforting and satisfying.
—Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
The darkness, however grim, is more comforting than the glare or the ever-present mound of dirt that looks all too much like a grave waiting to be filled.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
Hearty, comforting, and big on flavor, this stew is worth adding to your weeknight rotation.
—Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
This vast bundle of life and existence whirrs continually, creating the comforting harmonic tone that defines this place.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Best Postpartum Recovery Spray After labor, recovery is one of those new mom experiences no one really talks about, but finding a comforting solution shouldn’t be a secret.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
The favorite of the bunch was the Cinnamon Caramel offering, which tasted comforting and cozy like fall.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
But the result had all the concentrated, savory depth that makes beef stew so comforting and craveable.
—Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
From sheet pan nachos, comforting soups, and bright pastas there's for every taste bud on a time crunch.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
From orphans to widows, thousands of Armenians have found nourishment from this community protagonist, who is still comforting children who habitually ration their birthday cake.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The Big Four restaurant, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, draws a local crowd with classic, comforting dishes and a warm, clubby atmosphere.
—John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
The attempt at comforting the nation comes after a shocking statement the president posted on social media in the early morning hours of April 7.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Food and drink A destination among Parisians, the old-world brasserie on the ground-floor has plush banquettes and soaring ceilings and serves up comforting Parisian classics, from chicken liver pâté to roasted pork belly with crisp frites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
The paper also makes important distinctions about the path to that future, and not all of them are comforting for workers navigating the transition today.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The doc sees Hood appealing to the local government, leading protests, and comforting Littlejohn’s family.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
The rescue dog from Huntington Beach, California, who worked as a dedicated therapy dog comforting veterans, was a five-time dog surfing world champion and was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame in 2024, according to the Surfers' Hall of Fame website.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
Adjective
-
The Road Ahead for the Grizzly Bear Cubs While the news is encouraging, wildlife officials emphasized that the challenges are far from over.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
-
SpaceX valuation 'encouraging' watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This is supposed to be a relaxing hobby!—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
This left zero time for serendipity — or just plain relaxing.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the breach of trust here is likely to need more than reassurances from Cupich, as esteemed as the cardinal is by most Catholics.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This becomes more serious in romantic settings, where a persona optimized for reassurance may encourage dependency.—
Tamilla Triantoro,
The Conversation,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their replies were reassuring and direct.—
Rachel King,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Altman was reassuring, mirroring these safety concerns.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Once again attending class was instrumental and something that was ultimately a rewarding experience grounded in their own research and their own decisions.—
Froylan Jimenez,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Working with him is rewarding, hilarious, fun, and thrilling.—
Paul Thomas Anderson,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the massive field of Democratic candidates for California governor spread their voters too thin in the June primary, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco could both advance to November’s general election, assuring a Republican governor of the state.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Bono shared a note with fans, once again assuring them that a new album is still in the works, and that these EPs are side detours on the way to a wholly separate full-length.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During the chaos, community members like local restaurant owner Ron Grady stepped up to offer warm shelter and food to those who were stranded in the cold due to the massive multi-vehicle crash.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Thursday will be warm, dry and breezy in the Twin Cities, while other parts of Minnesota will face extreme fire risk.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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