consoling 1 of 3

as in comforting
the giving of hope and strength in times of grief, distress, or suffering the responsibility for the consoling of the families of the firefighters fell to the mayor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

consoling

2 of 3

adjective

consoling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of console

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consoling
Noun
Miller, who said the plan for the team was to keep playing next season, even without access to the state playoffs, tried to offer consoling words. Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Adjective
The script called for the teen-ager to sign on the line, the mother to follow the agency woman out into the hallway, and the best friend to enter and give the teen-ager a consoling hug. Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Certainly, the consoling notion surfaced quickly among the Chiefs after their 28-21 loss to Buffalo on Sunday at Highmark Stadium. Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
They could be seen hugging and consoling each other. Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 19 May 2026 The outlet reported family members were seen embracing and consoling one another. Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 The close-ups of the fans who did stay in pain, looking away in disgust and consoling one another, were powerful. Joe Prince-Wright, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 State media has repeatedly shown Kim honoring returning North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia and consoling the families of those killed. Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026 During the closing minutes of the women’s figure skating free skate last Thursday, the American was hugging and consoling two Japanese competitors whose results fell short of their respective expectations. Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 23 Feb. 2026 Despite nearly losing his business, Schoen’s main goal that day — and ever since — has been helping and consoling other victims, his daughter said. Abrielle Kate Maddison, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026 This warm, consoling meal comes together in no time. Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026 Heads hung low, players consoling one another or screaming obscenities at no one in particular, the care factor off the charts. Mirjam Swanson The Orange County Register, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consoling
Noun
  • The Seleção found itself 5-0 down after 30 minutes, then in a 7-0 hole 10 minutes from the final whistle, before Oscar scored the most insignificant of consolation goals in the final minute.
    Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • Then this year, the base got cut to 36 cents, with a 4-cent top-up thrown in as a consolation.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Despite the reassuring statement, fans worried that more tragic news was imminent, particularly as additional reports emerged claiming Tyler had gone into cardiac arrest after her doctors attempted to bring her out of the precautionary coma.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
  • Tillschneider’s inability to put Habermas into the past tense was somehow reassuring.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Brittney Brimway and her three children were on a flight from Los Angeles to Turks and Caicos with a layover in New York City when her son woke her up with some less-than-comforting news.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • The beauty lies in moderation — taking a moment to appreciate their comforting properties.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Haiti on Tuesday wanting to deliver a message of reassurance to the Haitian people amid surging gang violence, rising displacement and deepening hunger.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
  • Tisch’s presence in the top ranks of his administration presented some reassurance to some of those voters.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Vacations are exciting, relaxing, and a great way to disconnect, but nothing brings you back to reality faster than returning to a messy home.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026
  • Fishing can be easy and relaxing.
    Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • This is his way of assuring the public that he did not get taken to the cleaners—because, of course, his affable partners would never do that.
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • The city issued a statement on Monday, apologizing for the incident and assuring the public that the inclusion of the images was not intentional.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • It’s often been reported that Kate Middleton is a calming influence over the heir to the throne, Prince William.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 June 2026
  • While the lobby areas and restaurants lean into the playful side of a contemporary art hotel, the rooms are more calming with neutral tones and the continuation of the lobby’s black marble in the credenzas and nightstands.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s why a familiar smell from childhood can be soothing during stress, why certain perfumes are inseparable from the people who wore them, and why some scents can also bring back hard memories with the same intensity as good ones.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
  • Plus, SpaceX's massive initial public offering went well, soothing concerns about a deluge of new stock supply pulling down the whole market.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on consoling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster