Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

consolation

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of consolation

1 the giving of hope and strength in times of grief, distress, or suffering
  • the consolation of the grieving family by their friends
Synonyms of consolation

comforting, consoling, reassurance, solace, solacing
Words Related to consolation

commiseration, compassion, condolence, feeling, sympathy

counseling (or counselling)

humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, mercy, pity
2 a feeling of ease from grief or trouble
  • the consolation that our favorite foods give us when we're having a bad day
Synonyms of consolation

cheer, comfort, relief, solace
Words Related to consolation

encouragement, inspiration, uplift

assurance, reassurance

alleviation, assuagement, mitigation

contentment, gladness, happiness

commiseration, empathy, sympathy

aid, assistance, help, succor
Near Antonyms of consolation

cold comfort

anguish, distress, heartache, heartbreak, torment, torture

Learn More about consolation

  1. See words that rhyme with consolation Dictionary: Definition of consolation Spanish Central: Translation of consolation Nglish: Translation of consolation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of consolation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about consolation

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up consolation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

play

to lower or disgrace the reputation of

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
True or False
True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game