inconsolable

American  

[in-kuhn-soh-luh-buhl] / ˌɪn kənˈsoʊ lə bəl /

adjective

1. not able to be comforted or consoled; disconsolate.

   She was inconsolable when her son died.

---

inconsolable British  

/ ˌɪnkənˈsəʊləbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being consoled or comforted; disconsolate

---

Other Word Forms

• inconsolability noun
• inconsolableness noun
• inconsolably adverb

Etymology

Origin of inconsolable

1590–1600; < Latin inconsōlābilis. See in- ³, consolable ( def. )

Explanation

Someone inconsolable can't be comforted because they're extremely sad and despairing. To console someone is to comfort them with kind words, hugs, or otherwise. When someone is inconsolable, they’re so upset that all the words and hugs in the world are ineffective. An inconsolable person can't be consoled. People are inconsolable after horrible things happen, like the death of a family member or a friend. Some people are inconsolable after losing their jobs or suffering disappointments. If you're depressed, you could be inconsolable. This is a strong word for extreme sadness.

Example Sentences

Several groups of young men looked utterly inconsolable.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

One inconsolable father, whose daughter is still being held captive, told BBC Hausa that his family had been crying non-stop and "it's hard to go back home and look at their faces".

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

Shakespeare offers what has become the defining portrait of this inconsolable experience in “King Lear.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2025

"I'm a slow reader but I read it cover to cover and I was crying. Completely inconsolable," says Andrea.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

I’m embarrassed to admit that I was pretty inconsolable at school, crying so hard until Dad left work to visit me in the nurse’s office to see how I was doing.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera