consolation

noun

con·​so·​la·​tion ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of consoling : the state of being consoled : comfort

She found great consolation in all the cards and letters she received.

2

: something that consoles

specifically : a contest held for those who have lost early in a tournament

consolatory

kən-ˈsō-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈsä-

adjective

Synonyms

• comforting
• consoling
• reassurance
• solace
• solacing

Examples of consolation in a Sentence

His kind words were a consolation to me.

the consolation of the grieving family by their pastor

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, when Messi ended up missing the game in Vancouver, the Whitecaps offered fans a complementary future ticket as a consolation. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2024

The typical worker, then, is up 1.5% over inflation, although that’s little consolation after a trip to the supermarket. —Eli Amdur, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

But there was one small consolation: she’d be seated next to someone else her age—the groom’s teenage son, Christopher Toh. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024

The fact that neither Hezbollah nor the Lebanese authorities have called this a war is little consolation for those in throes of bombardment and mass displacement. —Christian Edwards, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see console entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing consolation

• consolation prize
• if it's any consolation

Kids Definition

consolation

noun

con·​so·​la·​tion ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of consoling : the state of being consoled

2

: something that consoles

consolatory

kən-ˈsōl-ə-ˌtōr-ē

-sä-lə-

-ˌtȯr-

adjective