1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

consolation

noun

ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce consolation (audio)
Definition of consolationnext
1
as in comforting
the giving of hope and strength in times of grief, distress, or suffering the consolation of the grieving family by their pastor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in relief
a feeling of ease from grief or trouble the consolation that our favorite foods give us when we're having a bad day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 consolation Cinematographer Robert Kolodny’s camera watches from afar as Ryan embraces his pal out in an open field, providing comfort and consolation in this hour of need. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026 While still up roughly 8% year to date, that's little consolation, because the stock entered 2026 on the slide. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 Perhaps chalking the loss up to an off-shooting night serves as a consolation for the Liberty in a matchup where everything else went wrong. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Only one thing gave Ruiz the kind of consolation that was truly the obverse of his physical pains, and that was the sacred figure of the Virgin Mary. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consolation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consolation
  1. reassurance
  2. relief
  3. consoling
  4. comfort
  5. solace
  6. encouragement
  7. sympathy
  8. compassion
Noun
  • If a manager requests an update while someone at home needs help, don’t try to satisfy both through vague reassurance.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • None other than Oprah was the master of ceremonies, someone who millions of Americans looked to for comfort, reassurance, and guidance.
    — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of reassurance
Noun
  • The cat sanctuary made it through Lowell with limited impact, a relief after Hurricane Lala in August caused thousands of dollars in damage.
    — GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • In between, Benton pitched mostly for Detroit, as a relief ace for the 1940 champions and an All-Star the next two seasons, usually as a starter.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of relief
Noun
  • Also somewhat consoling is the ongoing investigation by the FBI.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As such, Pinheiro was correct in reversing his original decision, leaving Embolo in tears and in need of consoling by team-mates.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of consoling
Noun
  • The Moon enters warmhearted Leo, drawing your attention toward comfort, family, and the space around you.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Aries March 21 – April 19 Home may feel a little too crowded for your comfort.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of comfort
Noun
  • Fortune said that drive-ins like the Coyote can be a solace for families with special needs children who might struggle with the indoor movie theater experience — or any other families who need a something a little different at the movies.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For many families, the opening of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, in 2014, brought no solace.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of solace
Noun
  • De Zerbi will take encouragement from Savio’s bright debut, with the £85million recruit from Manchester City looking bright and threatening, without executing on the final action.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The YouTube videos, Griffin said, were causing third-party contact because of Myers’ encouragement.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • With a hot war raging in Ukraine, these journalists don’t want to ask for anyone’s sympathy, which in turn heightens their alienation and frustration.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But, again, sympathy with either club should be in short supply.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sympathy
Noun
  • Think of fear as a request for your attention and compassion.
    — Marisa G. Franco, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Humans may be needed for tasks that only humans can perform, like holding patients’ hands, but doctors may not be best for compassion and empathy.
    — Abe Baker-Butler, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of compassion

Browse Nearby Words

consociational
consolation
consolations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consolation. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on consolation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about consolation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of facsimile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All