Job's comforter

[johbz]

noun

1. a person who unwittingly or maliciously depresses or discourages someone while attempting to be consoling.

Job's comforter

noun

1. a person who, while purporting to give sympathy, succeeds only in adding to distress

Word History and Origins

Origin of Job's comforter¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Maurice is Tom's sausage-maker, but he has now emerged as a truly biblical figure, Job's comforter.

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He proved nought but a Job's comforter next day, for when my lady pessimistically premised that both Carstares and her husband were undoubtedly hurt, he did not, as she expected he would, strive to reassure her, but gave a gloomy assent.

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Jobā′tion, a tedious scolding.—Job's comforter, one who aggravates the distress of an unfortunate man he has come to comfort; Job's news, bad news; Job's post, the bearer of bad news.

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Suddenly a sailing vessel came in like a Job's comforter, with the intelligence that the splendid new steamer Paramatta, which was about due with the mails from England, had on her first voyage gone ashore on the Anegada shoal near the island of Virgin Gorda, 60 nautical miles from St. Thomas, and with her 44440 passengers, and a valuable cargo, was in need of instant relief.

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“Jill, you’re a Job’s comforter,” replied Peter.

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