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

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.

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

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

She added: "It's a great neighbourhood, I'm sure it's just a one off. The police were very good yesterday, it was reassuring to have so many around."

From BBC • 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

Sounds reassuring — until you realize those postings are 70% below the 2022 peak.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

She felt for the iron and salt that she always kept in her apron pocket, the bundle a reassuring weight in her hand.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

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