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

"In the last few weeks, our family took some consolation, thinking that perhaps Nee's death would bring about change in our country, and it has not," Luke Ganger, Good's brother, told the US Congress.

From Barron's

Luke Ganger said their family had taken some consolation in the thought that his sister’s death might spark a change.

From Los Angeles Times

Tahnoon was given what many viewed as a consolation prize—control over two of the country’s largest wealth funds, making him the face of the country’s financial arm.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reasonable reasons to resist precious metals haven’t served as consolation for the big investors, however.

From The Wall Street Journal

As for McDermott, there is some small consolation for being fired.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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