reassuring

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "reassuring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone's behavior or words show a comforting, reliable certainty or make someone feel confident and secure. For example: The coach's encouraging words were very reassuring to the team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, at a time when banks are failing with some regularity, the size and ubiquity of these big banks is reassuring.

The Economist

"The Farc need constant reassuring because they are very, very mistrustful," Shifter says.

The Guardian

I have suits for work, shorts for running, boots for climbing mountains, tracksuit bottoms for vegetating, flip-flops for the beach, party shirts for partying and reassuring knitwear for meeting great aunts.

The Guardian

Sumita Shah, a spokesman for the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales, said the increase in self-assessed income tax receipts was "reassuring" and rising employee earnings growth should also help pave the way for an increase in income tax receipts in the coming months.

The Guardian - Business

Challenging the presumption that doctor-led obstetric units are the best places for the birth of a child will not be straightforward – 90% of mothers currently choose this option, no doubt because they feel safer amid the reassuring presence of doctors and technology.

The Guardian - Opinion

Audience members fainting at scenes of rape, mutilation and murder at Shakespeare's Globe during its current production of Titus Andronicus offer a reassuring reminder of the power of physical aggression in the theatre.

The Guardian

We managed a snotty laugh about it, and she said: "Your swearing's actually really reassuring".

The Guardian - Opinion

You can help by reassuring her that "age-related memory loss" such as this is very common in older people - in fact, it's almost a rule - and that there are many techniques that can help.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has described the ONS figures relating to Bulgarians and Romanians as "reassuring".

The Guardian

American Beauty pulled off the clever trick of soothing and reassuring the Academy's conservative sensibilities - and perhaps members even heard a ghost of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life in Spacey's this-is-where-I-live voiceover.

The Guardian

He added: "It is reassuring to find that there is no evidence of staff being bullied into changing cancer data, but it is even clearer that there were serious managerial failures at the trust.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reassuring" to describe something that reduces anxiety or instills confidence in a situation or person. For example, a "reassuring" presence can calm fears, while a "reassuring" statement can alleviate doubts.

Common error

Avoid using "reassuring" to describe something that is merely agreeable or satisfying, but does not necessarily alleviate anxiety or instill confidence. "Delicious" or "enjoyable" may be more appropriate if there's no element of fear or uncertainty being addressed.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reassuring" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that reduces anxiety, provides comfort, or instills confidence. Ludwig indicates its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "reassuring" is widely used to describe something that diminishes anxiety and instills confidence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. Its function is to provide comfort and build trust, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication. When choosing synonyms, consider nuances like providing comfort ("comforting") or calming nerves ("soothing"). Avoid using "reassuring" to describe something merely pleasant. Remember, its core purpose is to ease fears and provide a sense of security. The term appears frequently in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuring

Directly conveys a sense of certainty and removes doubt.

comforting

Emphasizes the provision of comfort and solace, focusing on emotional ease.

soothing

Highlights the calming effect, often related to reducing anxiety or distress.

heartening

Indicates a boost in spirits or courage, implying a positive emotional impact.

encouraging

Suggests providing support and motivation, prompting a sense of optimism.

uplifting

Focuses on raising someone's mood or spirits to a higher level.

promising

Implies a positive outlook or future expectation, instilling hope.

confident

Highlights a state of certainty and trust, instilling belief.

calming

Focuses on the quality of reducing agitation or excitement.

convincing

Relies on persuasive power to inspire trust and agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "reassuring" in a sentence?

You can use "reassuring" to describe something that makes someone feel less worried. For instance, "His calm demeanor was very reassuring." It's commonly used to describe actions, words, or even objects that provide comfort and security.

What can I say instead of "reassuring"?

You can use alternatives like "comforting", "soothing", or "heartening" depending on the context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the situation.

Which is correct, "reassuring" or "assuring"?

"Reassuring" implies reducing someone's anxiety or fear, while "assuring" means giving someone confidence or certainty. While they can be similar, "reassuring" emphasizes the alleviation of worry. For example, a "reassuring" hug might calm someone down, while an "assuring" statement confirms a fact.

What's the difference between "reassuring" and "encouraging"?

"Reassuring" focuses on easing fears or doubts, whereas "encouraging" aims to inspire hope or motivation. A "reassuring" message might tell someone that everything will be alright, while an "encouraging" message might urge them to keep trying.