comfort
1 of 2verb
com·fort ˈkəm(p)-fərt 
comforted; comforting; comforts
transitive verb
1
: to give strength and hope to : cheer
comforted by the knowledge that the program will be fully funded
2
: to ease the grief or trouble of : console
The mother comforted her crying child.
The bereaved families of the victims were comforted by friends.
comfortingly
ˈkəm(p)-fər-tiŋ-lē
adverb comfort
2 of 2noun
1
: strengthening aid:
a
: assistance, support
accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy
b
: consolation in time of trouble or worry : solace
He turned to her for comfort when he lost his job.
2
a
: a feeling of relief or encouragement
It's a comfort to know that I can rely on you for help.
b
: contented well-being
a life of ease and comfort
3
: a satisfying or enjoyable experience
Seeing her son again after so many years was a great comfort.
4
: one that gives or brings comfort
all the comforts of home
Her grandchildren were always a great comfort to her.
comfortless
ˈkəm(p)-fərt-ləs
adjective 
Synonyms
Verb
- assure
- cheer
- console
- reassure
- solace
- soothe
Noun
- cheer
- consolation
- relief
- solace
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Our family was comforted by the outpouring of support from the community. We can comfort ourselves with the thought that the worst is over. Noun These boots provide warmth and comfort in the coldest temperatures. The car's seats are designed for comfort. The suites combine comfort with convenience. The drug gave some comfort to the patient. I found a cozy chair where I could read in comfort. He turned to her for comfort and support when he lost his job. They were great comforts to each other during that difficult time. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 6 July 2022 His mother and grandfather endeavored to comfort the devastated 12-year-old, struggling to comprehend a loss that will forever mark his life. Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 People comfort one another at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Norway, on Saturday. Reuters, NBC News, 28 June 2022 Mike tries to comfort Manuel by telling him that justice will be done. Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 19 July 2022 After her divorce and years of living alone, pets were there to comfort her, protect her, and to be good companions to her. Beth Thames | Bethmthames@gmail.com, al, 8 June 2022 While David appears relieved after the embrace, Kobe continues to shed a few tears, prompting his incoming father-in-law to comfort him. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Another patient, who was also upset, sat in a waiting room chair and cried as a staffer tried to comfort her. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 Her dad later joined her on stage, saying his daughter learned to sing to comfort him through his chemotherapy treatments. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 8 June 2022 Laura Fisher, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2022 This Adidas tee is made of soft cotton jersey and designed with everyday comfort in mind. Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 10 Sep. 2022 Offering your baby more space and softer padding, this seat is equal parts protection and comfort. Jon Langston, Car and Driver, 10 Sep. 2022 There’s enjoyment in the garlic-forward, creamy dish itself, but there’s also comfort in the routine-ness of it. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 9 Sep. 2022 Plus, the Classic continues to receive excellent ratings from our testers and survey panelists for comfort and overall sleep quality. Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 9 Sep. 2022 With that comfort comes those moments between the fanbase, whether road or home, and myself. The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 Turmeric also helps support healthy joint mobility and comfort, according to Purina, and is safe to give to dogs in small amounts. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Chef Luca Cianciulli and his business partner and wife, Maxime Landry, have created the prototypical neighborhood restaurant in Villeray with a menu dedicated to Italian comfort classics. Mia Leimkuhler, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
Vice President Kamala Harris made an unannounced visit to Highland Park, Ill., Tuesday to comfort a community terrorized by a Fourth of July mass shooting. Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 6 July 2022 His mother and grandfather endeavored to comfort the devastated 12-year-old, struggling to comprehend a loss that will forever mark his life. Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 People comfort one another at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Norway, on Saturday. Reuters, NBC News, 28 June 2022 Mike tries to comfort Manuel by telling him that justice will be done. Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 19 July 2022 After her divorce and years of living alone, pets were there to comfort her, protect her, and to be good companions to her. Beth Thames | Bethmthames@gmail.com, al, 8 June 2022 While David appears relieved after the embrace, Kobe continues to shed a few tears, prompting his incoming father-in-law to comfort him. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Another patient, who was also upset, sat in a waiting room chair and cried as a staffer tried to comfort her. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 Her dad later joined her on stage, saying his daughter learned to sing to comfort him through his chemotherapy treatments. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 8 June 2022 Noun
Reviewers report that the boots far outperform for the price in terms of water resistance, comfort, and fashion. Laura Fisher, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2022 This Adidas tee is made of soft cotton jersey and designed with everyday comfort in mind. Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 10 Sep. 2022 Offering your baby more space and softer padding, this seat is equal parts protection and comfort. Jon Langston, Car and Driver, 10 Sep. 2022 There’s enjoyment in the garlic-forward, creamy dish itself, but there’s also comfort in the routine-ness of it. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 9 Sep. 2022 Plus, the Classic continues to receive excellent ratings from our testers and survey panelists for comfort and overall sleep quality. Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 9 Sep. 2022 With that comfort comes those moments between the fanbase, whether road or home, and myself. The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 Turmeric also helps support healthy joint mobility and comfort, according to Purina, and is safe to give to dogs in small amounts. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Chef Luca Cianciulli and his business partner and wife, Maxime Landry, have created the prototypical neighborhood restaurant in Villeray with a menu dedicated to Italian comfort classics. Mia Leimkuhler, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English comforten, conforten "to strengthen spiritually, inspire with courage, exort, cheer up, encourage, invigorate," borrowed from Anglo-French conforter, comforter, borrowed from Late Latin confortāre "to strengthen, restore strength to, invigorate, cure" (Medieval Latin also "to cheer, reassure"), from Latin con- con- + Late Latin -fortāre, verbal derivative of Latin fortis "strong, robust" — more at fort
Noun
Middle English comfort, counfort "invigoration, encouragement, assurance, feeling of relief, pleasure, gratification," borrowed from Anglo-French comfort, confort, cunfort "solace, encouragement, enjoyment, satisfaction," noun derivative of conforter, comforter "to strengthen, encourage, solace" — more at comfort entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing comfort
Kids Definition
comfort 1 of 2
verb
com·fort ˈkəm-fərt
comforted; comforting
: to ease the grief or trouble of
comfort the sick
And deep down inside I am really a nice person, she comforted herself. Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby, Age 8comfort
2 of 2noun
1
: acts or words that bring relief from grief or trouble
2
: the feeling of being cheered
3
: something that makes a person comfortable
the comforts of home
comfort 1 of 2
noun
1
as in relief
a feeling of ease from grief or trouble the mourners found comfort in their pastor's words Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- relief
- consolation
- encouragement
- solace
- reassurance
- sympathy
- assurance
- happiness
- contentment
- cheer
- empathy
- assistance
- uplift
- alleviation
- inspiration
- mitigation
- aid
- succor
- assuagement
- help
- gladness
- commiseration
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- anguish
- distress
- cold comfort
- heartbreak
- heartache
- torment
- torture
2
as in convenience
something that adds to one's ease of living a family campground with all the comforts of home Synonyms & Similar Words
- convenience
- luxury
- benefit
- amenity
- accommodation
- creature comfort
- service
- solace
- mod con
- nicety
- joy
- bonus
- extra
- help
- indulgence
- pleasure
- delight
- anodyne
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weight
- burden
- millstone
3
as in ease
reduction of or freedom from pain a life of comfort Synonyms & Similar Words
- relief
- ease
- alleviation
- release
- decrease
- soothing
- mitigation
- moderation
- calming
- assuagement
- appeasement
- mollification
- diminishment
- salving
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discomfort
- unrest
- suffering
- misery
- anguish
- agony
- torture
- pain
- torment
- ache
- sting
- stitch
- pang
- twinge
- prick
- tingle
- smart
- throe
4
as in luxury
something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary a hotel room featuring an array of domestic comforts Synonyms & Similar Words
- luxury
- amenity
- indulgence
- extra
- superfluity
- frill
- option
- extravagance
- accessory
- treat
- dainty
- nonessential
- nicety
- bells and whistles
- delicacy
- accessary
- accoutrement
- accouterment
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- necessity
- must
- essential
- requirement
- fundamental
- basic
comfort
2 of 2verb
as in to assure
to ease the grief or distress of the first responders did their best to comfort the victims of the terrible tornado Synonyms & Similar Words
- assure
- reassure
- soothe
- solace
- cheer
- console
- uplift
- sympathize
- relieve
- alleviate
- empathize
- commiserate
- calm
- lift
- condole
- quiet
- relax
- allay
- elevate
- assuage
- boost
- buoy (up)
- tranquillize
- tranquilize
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distress
- trouble
- torment
- worry
- torture
- discourage
- upset
- intensify
- aggravate
- demoralize
- annoy
- worsen
- fret
- irritate
- dishearten
- harass
- irk
- pester