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
The best credit counseling services Thinking about bankruptcy? — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 The center regularly meets with students to provide support through things like spiritual counseling free SAT prep. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Lambs moved to Eugene, Oregon, where Jerry Lamb went back to school to earn a master’s degree in counseling psychology. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Offer him the option of couples counseling so your issues can be mediated. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 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
  • Notably, those contracts are right at the money, making this trade a major vote of confidence for a stock desperately in need of some reassurance heading into this afternoon's print.
    — Tyler Bailey, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Smaller experiments might include briefly leaving the phone at home, or making a low-stakes decision without asking others for reassurance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 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
  • Management is guiding to flat EBITDA margins for the year, as lower-margin acquisitions and a fading FX tailwind offset productivity gains, so don't be worried about a lack of profitability growth in coming quarters.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Co-owner Nadja Mumelter leads regular forest bathing sessions, guiding guests through a mindful immersion into nature.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of guiding
Verb
  • Indeed, whether evaluating political rivals or advising on executive decisions, Abigail proved essential to John’s success, securing her legacy as a true Founding Mother.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • However, travelers could still face disruptions on the ground, with the embassy advising Americans to check for Metro station closures and other transportation interruptions before heading out.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of advising
Verb
  • Interestingly, there is no statistically detectable difference in offending rates before college, suggesting the future fraternity members weren’t always fundamentally different in their behavior.
    — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Musk went even further during the unveiling, suggesting engineers eventually want to reach half the speed of sound.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of suggesting
Noun
  • But that's little consolation for those who are stuck on the outskirts of the job market, knocking on doors that rarely open.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Arkansas lost its 14th straight SEC game, but played markedly better than in their first two conference games of the coach Ryan Silverfield era, though that’s hardly consolation given the length of the streak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of consolation
Adjective
  • Analysts at research and advisory firm Gartner predict that 80% of neocloud companies will either cease operations or be absorbed by 2030.
    — Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But Raman said that Chandrasekaran serves an important advisory role for her.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of advisory
Verb
  • At 46, coaching his fifth Pitt State team, the priorities are different.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Virgil is sharing interim head coaching duties with coach Brice Musgrove, according to a letter to Longhorn parents Cedar Hill sent to the Star-Telegram.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on counseling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about counseling

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