comforting 1 of 3

adjective

1
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside the comforting smell of fresh bread

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

comforting

2 of 3

noun

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

comforting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of comfort
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of comforting
Adjective
The meals here strike a strong balance between comforting and elevated, and all ingredients are locally sourced. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 In a city where change is constant — especially in the food and beverage scene — Charlotte’s classic restaurants are among the most beloved places to gather with family and friends or stop in for a comforting bite to eat. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 The problem is that Owen’s book would not be received as comforting and old-fashioned. — B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 As temperatures drop, fall calls for hearty and comforting meals. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2026 Jump to recipe Fans of Mississippi pot roast will love how its signature flavors combine with chicken in this comforting casserole. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026 And there’s something very comforting about going back to those things of our youth that were simpler than things are now — in our personal lives or the world at large. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 Those were the comforting words Vision privately offered Wanda in Age of Ultron after her brother Pietro died. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 Normally, reducing the braising liquid into a comforting, thick, rich sauce would take an hour or so. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Save as a collection on MyRecipes Fall recipes feature hearty, comforting dishes with seasonal ingredients like squash, apples, and sweet potatoes. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2026 Warm yet uplifting with a strong hit of black tea, Still Bloom's cardomom, sesame, and orange top notes hit like a shot of caffeine before dissipating into a mellow, comforting underbelly of musk, rose and cedarwood, to name a few. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 That means the baby’s crib or bassinet can be next to the parents’ bed, which makes feeding and comforting easier, but the baby should sleep on a separate surface. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 While squash casserole is typically enjoyed in the summer, this cheesy, comforting dish is perfect for cold winter nights and holiday parties. — Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2026 The homemade, humbly plated dishes and combos — hard-shell tacos, fajitas, chile rellenos, all-day huevos, enchiladas, and green chile (over everything) — are the gold standard for comforting Colo-Mex. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2026 The food is a mixed bag—ranging from comforting to unimpressive to genuinely delicious, in the case of Or’esh, which was the clear standout. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026 Soup and Salad Toppers Sauerkraut adds tangy, salty flavor to both fresh salads and comforting soups while providing gut-healthy probiotics. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 23 Sep. 2026 In this easy recipe, orzo imparts a comforting creaminess to a homey chicken soup. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comforting
  1. encouraging
  2. relaxing
  3. reassurance
  4. reassuring
  5. rewarding
  6. soothing
  7. consoling
  8. assuring
Adjective
  • Other big tech stocks likewise fell following quarterly reports that included at least some encouraging nuggets.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Besides SpaceX’s profit report showing strength for AI spending, another encouraging signal for the industry came from Super Micro Computer, which sells AI servers and services.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • In general, the reduction of decision-making to easy choices was, for me, possibly the most relaxing element of all.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Expansive exterior decks and a generous flybridge create space for entertaining, relaxing, or even exercising in the great outdoors.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Noun
  • Notably, those contracts are right at the money, making this trade a major vote of confidence for a stock desperately in need of some reassurance heading into this afternoon's print.
    — Tyler Bailey, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Smaller experiments might include briefly leaving the phone at home, or making a low-stakes decision without asking others for reassurance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of reassurance
Verb
  • Spotify has low debt, which is reassuring at a time of higher interest rates, and a robust war chest.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • There’s also reassuring initial bite at the top of the travel, yet the setup doesn’t feel grabby or overly anxious in everyday driving situations.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reassuring
Adjective
  • The outdoor space transforms the experience, offering a peaceful perch above the city that's especially rewarding in the early morning or around sunset.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Mitchell worries that rewarding models for thinking of themselves as having identities during fine-tuning could strengthen those earlier associations, potentially encouraging behavior that developers never intended.
    — Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of rewarding
Adjective
  • The recipe calls for plenty of seaweed, rich in nourishing minerals, and is deeply soothing and hydrating.
    — Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Cool lighting can appear brighter and attention-grabbing, but warm lighting is more soothing on the eyes.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of soothing
Noun
  • The resulting music is [a recording of] Black women looking at these images, crying, praying, consoling, avenging—and that’s really what happened.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Also somewhat consoling is the ongoing investigation by the FBI.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of consoling
Verb
  • Riley urged his team Saturday to hang in there, assuring that its best days were still ahead.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Processing around a million or more disputes a year creates a burden on administrative tasks such as case management, assuring consistency in documentation, assuring applicants meet eligibility criteria and developing reimbursement plans.
    — Christine Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of assuring

Browse Nearby Words

comforters
comforting
comfortless
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Cite this Entry

“Comforting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comforting. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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