Synonyms

reassuring

American

[ree-uh-shoor-ing, -shur-] / ˌri əˈʃʊər ɪŋ, -ˈʃɜr- /

adjective

restoring or boosting confidence, certainty, or security.

All children deserve safety, comfort, privacy, and reassuring routines.
The reassuring news is that the insects don't carry nearly enough of the virus to infect a human.

noun

the act or process of restoring or boosting confidence, certainty, or security.

One drawback is that telemedicine does not allow for the physical comforting and reassuring of a patient.

Other Word Forms

reassuringly adverb
unreassuring adjective
unreassuringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of reassuring

First recorded in 1700–10; reassur(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; reassur(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Explanation

Something reassuring comforts or inspires you. A reassuring smile can help to calm a nervous speaker who's about to give a speech. When you're anxious about singing in the talent show, some reassuring words from your best friend or your dad's reassuring hug can make you feel much more relaxed and confident. And fearful flyers sometimes find the calm voice of the captain reassuring. This adjective comes from the verb reassure, or "restore to confidence," which adds re-, or "again," to assure, which has the Latin root securus, "safe or secure."

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was so fun and somehow reassuring to look at people, in their kitchens, following along, offering advice, asking questions, having this one hour out of our busy lives, where we had this shared experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Recent reports have suggested that British holidaymakers are looking for "reassuring alternatives to avoid travel through the Middle East".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

There is also reassuring news for Florida property owners.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

A recent comment by Vance is far from reassuring, though he meant it to be.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

“I’m sure it will be dead again once Christmas is over,” Connor said, which was obviously reassuring to him, but not to me.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023