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
as in reassuring
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in assuring
to ease the grief or distress of
the military officer who must console the bereaved at a soldier's funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of consoling
Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
In a way, that’s a consoling thought.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
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
But neighbors in the tent encampment ushered Lolita away from the scene of violence, consoling and protecting her – just as Cornelius did for her years ago.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Erivo appeared to yell at him before shifting his focus solely to consoling Grande, who was ushered away from the carpet.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Many of the players lingered on the field for long minutes after the game, consoling each other or talking to friends and family.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent studies show that while AI has at least some capacity to display empathy, people still prefer consoling messages from other humans.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
In a way, that’s a consoling thought.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
But neighbors in the tent encampment ushered Lolita away from the scene of violence, consoling and protecting her – just as Cornelius did for her years ago.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Erivo appeared to yell at him before shifting his focus solely to consoling Grande, who was ushered away from the carpet.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Many of the players lingered on the field for long minutes after the game, consoling each other or talking to friends and family.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent studies show that while AI has at least some capacity to display empathy, people still prefer consoling messages from other humans.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consoling
Adjective
-
The signs are much more reassuring for the eight rebound candidates below.—
Al Melchior,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Not a soft or reassuring glow, but a hard, sustained brightness that makes devastation legible.—
Alex Averbuch,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Slap the crust in a cast iron skillet and fill it up with the comforting chicken filling!—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Uplifting in the morning, comforting at night A home’s fragrance, Sagar says, should follow the rhythm of the day.—
Allison Hatfield,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
New signing Tiago scored a consolation goal in the 95th minute, assisted by Zakaria Taifi.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
These wrestlers in the consolation side of the bracket aren’t competing for an individual state title anymore, but a few more wins can help their teams in a major way come Saturday.—
Nate Peterson,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After a day of perfecting your pop-ups, take a soothing dip in the property’s infinity pool, set amidst lush greens for a truly relaxing scene.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Stay overnight at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for a relaxing evening of waterfront dining and alpine views from its private beach.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump says America 'is back,' but bashes Dems Most presidents strive for an upbeat tone, assuring Americans that things are swell in the country.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
-
After all, scholars have been assuring us for years that disco was a site of subversion, liberation, and transgression, and yet these findings clearly did not trouble the MAGA gang.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Expectations were high going into the report, as investors looked for reassurance about the sustainability of hyperscaler spending on AI.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Put simply, an attachment wound forms when your early needs for safety and reassurance weren’t met by your parents or caregivers.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After a day spent under the sun, guests return to a tranquil retreat that’s quietly stylish and deeply calming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The lack of spoken words gives it a calming, quietly intense quality.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Expensive shampoos typically rely on more refined conditioning agents and soothing ingredients that may make frequent hair washing more comfortable, Tung said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Boss shows have been highly anticipated at Milan Fashion Week, also thanks to the buzzy setups, from the fall 2023 sci-fi office space filled with cubicles and the humanoid robot Sophia to the idyllic, soothing garden mounted inside the courtyard of the Palazzo del Senato for spring 2025.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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