consoling

American

[kuhn-soh-ling] / kənˈsoʊ lɪŋ /

adjective

alleviating or lessening grief, sorrow, or disappointment; giving comfort.

He gave his companion a consoling clap on the shoulder.
The consoling power of the book arises not so much from the humor as from the detail with which the author renders his world.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of consoling

consol(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Vocabulary lists containing consoling

Umberto Eco (1932-2016) Tribute List

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He walked off with the consoling arm of Shane Lowry’s daughter Iris - who also went close to hitting the putting surface - round his shoulders.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

I’m a big Fantasy Football person, so Monday morning is normally consoling myself with how badly Sunday has gone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

He claimed that he began consoling a crying Minaj, only for her to start yelling at him.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 1, 2025

She sent encouraging emails to players and coaches after games, celebrating or consoling them depending on the outcome.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025

Nurse Duckett was in tears, and Yossarian was consoling her apologetically as he sat beside her on the edge of a bed.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023