consolation

American  

[kon-suh-ley-shuhn] / ˌkɒn səˈleɪ ʃən /

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.

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consolation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• consolatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of consolation

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

Every criticism of the book is anticipated by the author, whose wry critique is little consolation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Littler did avoid the whitewash, with an ironic celebration showing he felt it was nothing more than a consolation.

From BBC

A consolation on a savagely hard game, but something.

From BBC

But that will be no consolation for the four-time champion when the gap to the front is so large.

From BBC

If “Sinners” does win best picture, how’s this for a consolation: Anderson, who came into the year having never won despite 11 nominations, will go home with two Oscars — director and adapted screenplay.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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