reassuring

[ree-uh-shoor-ing, -shur-]

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.

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

• reassuringly adverb
• unreassuring adjective
• unreassuringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reassuring¹

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

The industrious thrum of the heavy-duty sewing machines, along with the workers' chatter, normally fills the plant with a reassuring rhythm.

From BBC

As she transferred cash, he sent her messages reassuring her of his commitment to their relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

“Kobie’s obviously super smart, but we still have our youthful moments on the field. So to have that veteran presence... is very reassuring.”

From Los Angeles Times

Those statistics might seem reassuring, but fully trusting them is hard, especially when one is hiking in mountains so high they create their own weather.

From Los Angeles Times

You might never guess someone so blandly reassuring is participating in such monumental damage.

From Salon

Related Words

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