consolation prize

noun

: a prize given to a runner-up or a loser in a contest

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Henderson isn't the top player in his class, but don't call the G League Ignite guard a consolation prize. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 28 Jan. 2023 Consider this a phenomenal consolation prize. Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2022 There’s not a consolation prize. James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 29 Dec. 2021 There will be no such consolation prizes on Sunday. Billy Witz, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2023 If Stroud is the Panthers' target at No. 1, the Texans will have far more than a consolation prize waiting for them in Young. Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2023 Three years later, however, Shackleton was back in the polar south, going for a consolation prize: the first crossing of the Antarctic continent. Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023 That award, which until 2010 was a Sidemen category, seems to operate now as a consolation prize that in turn decreases the artist’s chances of being inducted, which is a worrying trend. Al Shipley, SPIN, 1 Feb. 2023 The Bengals didn’t play for a consolation prize. Mohammad Ahmad, cleveland, 30 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consolation prize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consolation prize was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near consolation prize

Cite this Entry

“Consolation prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consolation%20prize. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

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