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

Perhaps the only consolation for Bublik was avoiding being at the wrong end of the fastest beating of the tournament.

From BBC

Fiji did manage a consolation try late on through Naisewa, but by then Scotland's job was done.

From BBC

But if the Galaxy can come out of the consolation match with a Champions Cup berth, that would count as a win in what has otherwise been a lost season.

From Los Angeles Times

“If they made it to Riverside and performed ‘Don’t Worry Baby,’ it would have been a terrific consolation, yes.”

From Los Angeles Times

Will Stuart: Scored the final try of the tour - a consolation, but still a nice moment.

From BBC

Related Words

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