Assure vs. Reassure: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Assure means to tell someone confidently to remove doubts, while reassure means to restore confidence or alleviate fears or doubts, often after they have arisen.
Key Differences
Assure is used to provide initial confidence or certainty about something, as in "I assure you of our commitment." Reassure is used to restore confidence or calm fears, often after they have been challenged, like "She reassured him after the setback."
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Nov 18, 2023
Assure often precedes an action or decision, providing certainty or a promise, as in "He assured her of his support." Reassure typically follows a period of uncertainty or anxiety, aiming to bring back comfort, as in "The doctor reassured the patient about the procedure."
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Nov 18, 2023
When assuring, one typically addresses doubts before they become significant, like "They assured us of the safety measures." Reassuring involves addressing and soothing existing concerns or fears, as in "She reassured the child during the storm."
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Nov 18, 2023
In professional settings, assure might be used to affirm commitments or guarantees, as in "We assure quality in our services." In personal contexts, reassure often relates to emotional support, as in "He reassured her of his unwavering love."
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Nov 18, 2023
Assurance generally involves making someone confident about a future event or outcome, as in "I assure you of timely delivery." Reassurance tends to focus on alleviating current worries or doubts, as in "She reassured them that everything was under control."
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Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To provide initial confidence or certainty
To restore confidence or calm fears
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Typical Context
Used before action or decision
Used after uncertainty or anxiety arises
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Addressing Concerns
Addresses potential doubts
Soothes and alleviates existing concerns
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Use in Interactions
Often in professional promises or commitments
Frequently in personal, emotional support
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Assure and Reassure Definitions
Reassure
To give emotional support
She reassured him of her constant support.
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Assure
To make certain
The manager assured timely completion of the project.
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Nov 18, 2023
Reassure
To comfort someone with doubts
He reassured her after the misunderstanding.
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Nov 18, 2023
Assure
To declare confidently
He assured that the results would be positive.
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Reassure
To confirm again for comfort
The pilot reassured passengers about safety.
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Reassure
To restore confidence
The doctor reassured the patient about the treatment.
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Nov 18, 2023
Reassure
To alleviate fears
She reassured the child during the thunderstorm.
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Nov 18, 2023
Assure
To inform positively, as to remove doubt
Assured us that the train would be on time.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reassure
To restore confidence to
I felt reassured that I was up to the job.
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
To make certain; ensure
"Nothing in history assures the success of our civilization" (Herbert J. Muller).
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Reassure
(transitive) To assure anew; to restore confidence to; to free from fear or self-doubt.
The boy's mother reassured him that there was no monster hiding under the bed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
To make safe or secure
"We would rather forgo certain benefits in order to be assured against certain evils" (Alfred E. Smith).
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Reassure
To assure anew; to restore confidence to; to free from fear or terror.
They rose with fear, . . . Till dauntless Pallas reassured the rest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
To give (someone) confidence in the trustworthiness of (something).
I assure you that the program will work smoothly when we demonstrate it to the client.
He assured of his commitment to her happiness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reassure
Cause to feel sure; give reassurance to;
The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe
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Reassure
Give or restore confidence in; cause to feel sure or certain;
I reassured him that we were safe
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise, declaration, or other evidence.
His promise that thy seed shall bruise our foe . . . Assures me that the bitterness of deathIs past, and we shall live.
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the design of inspiring belief or confidence.
I dare assure thee that no enemyShall ever take alive the noble Brutus.
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Assure
To confirm; to make certain or secure.
And it shall be assured to him.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss, or to pay a specified sum at death. See Insure.
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
Make certain of;
This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us
Preparation will guarantee success!
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Oct 19, 2023
Assure
Inform positively and with certainty and confidence;
I tell you that man is a crook!
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Assure
Assure somebody of the truth of something with the intention of giving the listener confidence;
I assured him that traveling to Cambodia was safe
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Assure
Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something;
He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
Control the quality of the product
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Assure
Cause to feel sure; give reassurance to;
The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
When is reassure typically used?
Reassure is used to restore confidence after it has been shaken.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can assure be used to make a promise?
Yes, assure can be used to make a promise or commitment.
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Nov 18, 2023
What is the primary purpose of assure?
Assure is used to give initial confidence or remove doubts.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is assure used before or after an event?
Assure is typically used before an event or decision.
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Nov 18, 2023
Does reassure imply previous doubts?
Yes, reassure implies addressing and soothing existing doubts.
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Nov 18, 2023
What kind of doubts does assure address?
Assure addresses potential or theoretical doubts.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is assure used for future or past events?
Assure is mainly used for future events or outcomes.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can assure be a form of guarantee?
Yes, assure can act as a form of guarantee or assurance.
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Nov 18, 2023
What emotions does reassure typically involve?
Reassure typically involves soothing negative emotions like anxiety or worry.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does reassure relate to fears?
Reassure is often used to alleviate or calm fears.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can reassure be used in emotional support?
Yes, reassure is often used to provide emotional support.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does reassure work in personal relationships?
In personal relationships, reassure often means giving comfort or emotional reassurance.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can reassure be used in crisis situations?
Yes, reassure is often used in crises to alleviate panic or fear.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can assure be used in professional settings?
Yes, assure is often used in professional contexts to affirm commitments.
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Nov 18, 2023
What role does reassure play in communication?
Reassure plays a role in communication by reinforcing support and understanding.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does assure affect decision-making?
Assure can influence decision-making by providing certainty.
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What is a common context for assure?
A common context for assure is in confirming plans or commitments.
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Is reassure used in medical settings?
Yes, reassure is frequently used in medical settings to calm patients.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does reassure help in stressful situations?
Reassure helps in stressful situations by reducing anxiety and restoring calm.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can assure be used to confirm plans?
Yes, assure can be used to confirm and solidify plans.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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