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

That wasn’t an appealing consolation for Orlando, especially as Blackburn kept scouting him after making clear their seven-figure valuation. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

For now, none of that is much consolation to the faithful throng fans of TikTok, especially those who came of age on it. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025

When a system fails you—when your taxes go up, when your claim is denied, when your hydrants run dry—the complexity of the system is no consolation. —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025

But there’s no such consolation for many of those who work on the music side, as the professional-grade home studios of untold numbers of producers, engineers and musicians have gone up in flames alongside their actual residences. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Jan. 2025

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