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Balm vs Comfort - What's the difference?

balm | comfort | Synonyms |

Balm is a synonym of comfort.


As nouns the difference between balm and comfort

is that balm is any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus commiphora'' of africa, arabia and india and ''myroxylon of south america while comfort is contentment, ease.

As verbs the difference between balm and comfort

is that balm is (archaic) to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal while comfort is to relieve the distress or suffering of; to provide comfort to.

balm

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora'' of Africa, Arabia and India and ''Myroxylon of South America.
  • A plant or tree yielding such substance.
  • Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
    • There is a balm in Gilead.... (Spiritual)
  • (figuratively) Something soothing.
    • Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.
  • Any of various aromatic plants of the genus Melissa , such as lemon balm () or bee balm.

    • Synonyms

    * (aromatic resin) balsam * (plant or tree) balsam * (soothing oil or lotion) balsam * (something soothing) balsam

    Related terms

    * balmy * balsam * embalming

    See also

    * lotion * ointment * unguent

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
  • (figurative) To soothe; to mitigate.
    • (Shakespeare)

    Anagrams

    * *

    comfort

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Contentment, ease.
    • Sleep in comfort with our new mattress.
  • Something that offers comfort.
    • the comforts of home
  • A consolation; something relieving suffering or worry.
    • We still have the spare tire? That's a comfort at least.
  • A cause of relief or satisfaction.
    • The outcome of the peace negotiations in Moscow in 1940 was a heavy blow to the young nation, but in the same time a great comfort : at least the independency was preserved.

    Synonyms

    *

    Antonyms

    * austerity

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To relieve the distress or suffering of; to provide comfort to.
    • Rob comforted Aaron because he was lost and very sad.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men.
  • To make comfortable. (rfex)
  • (obsolete) To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate.
    • (Wyclif)
  • * Hooker
    • God's own testimony doth not a little comfort and confirm the same.
  • (obsolete) To assist or help; to aid.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I cannot help the noble chevalier: / God comfort him in this necessity!

    Synonyms

    * besoothe

    Derived terms

    * cold comfort * comfort woman * comfortable * comforter * comforting * discomfort * letter of comfort ----