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

Tre Tucker grabbed a consolation touchdown for Las Vegas before Dallas's final points came from a safety.

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The consolation to this tragedy was its timing.

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Instead, they were able to win a major consolation prize -- turning the spotlight on an issue that fires up their base.

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The consolation prize is the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, an award that has evolved into the Too Bad You’re Not a Quarterback trophy.

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Some consolation, though: Other stocks look more promising.

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Related Words

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