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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consoling
Adjective
-
My time belonged entirely to me, and the constant motion was both exciting and reassuring.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
More than 120,000 Marylanders left the state between 2020 and 2024, and even though international immigration and a positive birth rate offset the loss, this isn’t a reassuring sign.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This cafeteria-style macaroni and cheese recipe is full of comforting flavor.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Each bite mixed warm and cold, crisp and smooth – an easy, comforting finish to my little taste of summer.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Infanta had some consolation, however, in her role as Spain’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In the 62nd minute, Elanga scored a consolation with a wonderful solo strike, slaloming in from the left and curling in via the far post — Newcastle’s first goal at the Etihad since September 2018, following seven visits without scoring.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For a more relaxing itinerary, book a mineral water soak in the bathhouse at Carson Hot Springs Resort, which has been providing access to pure hot spring waters since the early 1900s.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Other than that, hot water can be a relaxing treat at other points in the day.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
White, who finished with 10 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes, passed the ball out where it was stolen by Atwell, who missed another deep 3 with one tick remaining, assuring KU the win.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Some fears exist among the British right that Reform’s success could still be squashed by an alliance of Labour, the Green Party, the Lib Dems, and a confederation of minor parties if a pact is not struck with the Conservatives, assuring a unified right-wing bloc.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Supplements certified for sport provide additional reassurance that the product has been tested and verified for quality, purity, and safety.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This proposal also reflects feedback from Baltimore County residents who are seeking reassurance that public institutions are operating transparently and responsibly.—
Carl Jackson,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Matcha provides a more calming energy than coffee due to its L-theanine content.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Make Minimalism Your Own For some people, blank white walls are a calming and relaxing sight.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
You Doux smells like a spa day, with soothing notes of incense, palo santo, and fresh, green violet leaf.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Bantu’s roll-on oils are small enough to travel with and come in soothing blends like lavender, peppermint, citrus, and fresh herbal scents.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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