Showing results for "reassuring"

• present participle of reassure.

reassuring

American  

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

adjective

1. 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.

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noun

1. 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

• unreassuring
  adjective
• reassuringly
  adverb
• unreassuringly
  adverb

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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

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reassuring

It was a reassuring sign that he was headed in the right direction: His destination lay on the edge of a pond.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Special Order 40 was aimed at reassuring the city’s immigrants that they could safely report a crime or serve as a witness without fear of deportation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

History offers a more reassuring outlook once a bull market turns four years old.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 11, 2026

"It's reassuring for authors to know that we're committed to this issue," said Allibert.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

She smiles at me the reassuring smile of an older sibling.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri

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Related Words

• assistance
• backing
• cheer
• comfort
• confidence
• consolation
• faith
• fortitude
• incentive
• inspiration
• optimism
• reassurance
• relief
• reward
• stimulation
• stimulus

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