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

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consoling

2 of 3

verb

present participle of console

consoling

3 of 3

adjective

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
In a way, that’s a consoling thought. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him. Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025 Thomson also talked about all the Phillies players consoling Kerkering after the game. Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 The issue is whether the focus remains, as promised, on celebrating the team’s victories (or consoling their defeats). Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025 Montgomery suffered a season-ending injury on Sunday, announcing the news of his impending surgery by posting a picture of Sonic consoling a crying Knuckles on his Instagram story. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 2024 Ian, revved up by the camogie carnage and fresh off consoling Eva (eye emojis x2), takes it upon himself to tell Angelica in no uncertain terms to back off the Garvey sisters. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024 Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Harris' campaign manager and former state director in her Senate office, said the vice president uses her experience consoling victims as a courtroom prosecutor to connect with people after tragedies. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 Oct. 2024 Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Harris’ campaign manager and former state director in her Senate office, said the vice president uses her experience consoling victims as a courtroom prosecutor to connect with people after tragedies. Chris Megerian and Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consoling
Verb
  • The reigning champions, Arsenal, got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Benfica, but their performance was far from reassuring.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a more dovish tone on monetary policy yesterday, reassuring investors that the central bank remains attentive to both inflation and a softening labor market.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Break out the slow-cooker for this warm and comforting chili that serves six and stars turkey.
    Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Recent changes are less comforting for Putin.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Los Osos forfeited to Jurupa Valley after the two teams were matched up in the consolation round of a neutral tournament over the weekend.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Or our friends might simply offer sympathy and assure us that all would be well—a meaningless consolation, intended only to force us to focus our attention elsewhere.
    Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No date had been fixed as yet, one of them kept assuring me — only to have the official call me in late October and say, in very apologetic tones, that the landing had suddenly happened nearly overnight, because ASN’s ship had been in the area and had some time to spare.
    Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Mix in front-office executives assuring playing time to certain players, regardless of performance, and turmoil in the clubhouse could have easily brewed — and justifiably so.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most relaxing parts of the day is burrowing under your blankets before drifting off to sleep.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Take a waterfall jaunt at DuPont State Park, a visit to the North Carolina Arboretum, or a relaxing autumn afternoon along Lake Lure.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Earlier this year, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg faced questions from a Senate committee about the production rate of the 737 Max, with lawmakers seeking reassurance from Ortberg that the company was prioritizing quality and safety over meeting production targets for profit.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Shannel left the hospital with reassurances that everything was fine — that the swelling was normal and would resolve with time.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Pottery Barn’s outlet is filled with cozy fall quilts for every bed size and an array of seasonal hues, from soothing neutrals to dark statement colors.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Further buffering the effects of the retinoid are the brand’s signature thermal water (rich in soothing minerals) as well as shea butter and squalane to moisturize and protect.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Let’s do a few more calming breaths.
    Susanna Wolff, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The bedding’s calming, neutral gray tone is a great fit for a range of decor styles, from minimalistic to modern.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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