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 Words From

• re·as·sur·ing·ly adverb
• un·re·as·sur·ing adjective
• un·re·as·sur·ing·ly 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 group denied the claims and spent months reassuring investors; its companies’ stock prices rebounded.

From New York Times

Even so, the 78-year-old is “making calls” on Gaetz’s behalf and reassuring himself that, even if doesn’t get his first choice as attorney general, “the standard for an acceptable candidate will have shifted so much that the Senate may simply approve his other nominees.”

From Salon

His eyes met mine more than once, reassuring me that we’re still a team — just like we are on complex video shoots for our business, parenting a blended family and wrangling our 120-pound dog for a bath.

From Los Angeles Times

As someone who has been plagued by insecurities over my appearance for as long as I can remember, there is something reassuring about being shown pictures of myself from my early 20s.

From Slate

"It would be reassuring to know that someone in authority was monitoring both the absolute number of licence holders swerving a ban and the reasons why they've been granted leave to keep driving," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• cheerful
• encouraging
• exciting
• favorable
• fortunate
• good
• gracious
• likely
• pleasant
• probable
• reasonable
• rosy