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.

In March, she checked in with her online followers again, reassuring fans she was on the mend.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

There is also reassuring news for Florida property owners.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Especially reassuring to Japan—and noted by Beijing—would be for Mr. Trump to add a stop in Tokyo before his planned visit to China later this spring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Not everything works, but in an era of AI slop, and meme songs designed for Tiktok clip-ability, it's reassuring to hear Raye unapologetically going for broke.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

She can see through the laughter and the reassuring words.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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