consolation

[kon-suh-ley-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of consoling; console; comfort; solace.

   Synonyms: cheer, support, help, succor, relief

2. the state of being consoled. console.

3. someone or something that consoles: console.

   His faith was a consolation during his troubles. Her daughters are a consolation to her.

4. Sports.,  a game, match, or race for tournament entrants eliminated before the final round, as a basketball game between the losing semifinalists.

consolation

/ kənˈsɒlətərɪ, ˌkɒnsəˈleɪʃən, -trɪ /

noun

1. the act of consoling or state of being consoled; solace

2. a person or thing that is a source of comfort in a time of suffering, grief, disappointment, etc

Other Word Forms

• consolatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consolation¹

1325–75; Middle English consolacioun (< Anglo-French ) < Latin consōlātiōn- (stem of consōlātiō ), equivalent to consōlāt ( us ), past participle of consōlārī ( con- con- + sōlā-, stem of sōlārī to comfort, + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion; solace

Example Sentences

But she found consolation in knowing Jeff’s carefully curated wines would be enjoyed by his friends.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lucky for Cruise, he got a consolation prize in the form of a Saturn Award nomination from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some consolation: The average net worth in the U.S. increases as people get older — from $183,500 for those under age 35 to $1.79 million for those ages 65 to 74, according to Fidelity.

Read more on MarketWatch

Some consolation: The average net worth in the U.S. increases as people get older — from $183,500 for those under age 35 to $1.79 million for those ages 65 to 74, according to Fidelity.

Read more on MarketWatch

Daryl Clark barged over in the final minutes for England, but it was no more than a consolation.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• comfort 
• compassion 
• encouragement 
• pity 
• solace 
• succor 
• sympathy