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counseling 1 of 3

noun

variants or counselling
Definition of counselingnext
as in reassurance

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counseling

2 of 3

adjective

variants or counselling
as in consulting

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counseling

3 of 3

verb

variants or counselling
present participle of counsel
1
as in conferring
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community

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2
as in guiding
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college

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3
as in advising
to give advice to perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you

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4
as in suggesting
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I would counsel caution and deliberation in this sensitive matter

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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 counseling
Noun
Jacobs was ordered to avoid contacting the victim, attend counseling and pay restitution to the victim. — Zach Powell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Grief counseling services will be available to students impacted by Fewell’s sudden death, per the outlet. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
Vrabel even missed one day of the NFL Draft as part of that counseling regimen. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Veteran stars Derwin James and Khalil Mack, both versed in big paydays, are counseling Tuipulotu as teammates await his full return to practice. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counseling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counseling
  1. reassurance
  2. consulting
  3. guiding
  4. advising
  5. suggesting
  6. consolation
  7. advisory
  8. coaching
Noun
  • As focus turns to the Fed decision, investors want reassurance that the central bank is serious about reining in inflation.
    — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Ultimately, what convinced many of her colleagues was the reassurance that citizens would not have decisional power; the parliament had a duty to consider their recommendations but could decide not to adopt them.
    — Esther King, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of reassurance
Adjective
  • McKinsey could also slash as many as 2,000 non-consulting staff in one of its biggest round of layoffs ever, Bloomberg reported last month, citing unnamed sources close to the matter.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN, 23 Mar. 2023
  • The report also found McKinsey officials used their contract with the government to drum up even more consulting work with private companies.
    — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2022
Definition of consulting
Verb
  • Mottola is known for discovering, developing and guiding some of the world’s most iconic artists while helping transform Sony Music Entertainment into a global powerhouse.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • While the McCartney documentary had thematic guiding principles for each episode, JAŸ-Z in 8 only occasionally seems to have any authorial form at all.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of guiding
Verb
  • Now, in advising the UCAA, Abruzzo is pursuing the same broader objective through state labor agencies, such as Oregon’s Employment Relations Board, which primarily has jurisdiction over state and local government employers.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • With the two events drawing large crowds, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising residents, commuters, visitors and fans to prepare for various traffic impacts.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of advising
Verb
  • Also recommended will be screen time limits, suggesting a cap of 30 minutes for those through fifth grade, and 45 minutes through eighth grade.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • His comments come seven months after Tiley proposed a move in the opposite direction by suggesting that best-of-five-set matches be introduced in the women’s competition at the Australian Open from the quarter-finals onwards.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of suggesting
Noun
  • His first United goal came as a consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Brentford at the end of September, his seventh appearance, and six weeks and one more goal after that, he was sidelined for a month by a knee injury.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But like The Bad News Bears’ rangy little dirtbag on the dirtbike, there was no dishonor in the loss, even if the fans would’ve found even greater consolation in a title.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of consolation
Adjective
  • Kennedy boasted about the administration's moves to downsize the childhood vaccination schedule and reshape a key vaccine advisory board -- steps that have since been halted by a judge.
    — FATIMA HUSSEIN, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • After a nomination process by an advisory board, Bey was selected by the Spector Family Foundation, Crystal Bridges, and Adamson.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of advisory
Verb
  • There will be recruiting battles and NIL headaches and portal defections and angry message boards and all the other insanity that comes with coaching at a place where fans consider 9-3 an average record rather than an accomplishment.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Robinson also helped advise Lizzie on her appearance, coaching her to appear more innocent, more feminine and incapable of committing such a horrific crime.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of coaching

Browse Nearby Words

counselee
counseling
counselor
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Cite this Entry

“Counseling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counseling. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on counseling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about counseling

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