consolation

American  

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

noun

1. the act of consoling; comfort; solace.

   Synonyms:

   cheer, support, help, succor, relief

2. the state of being consoled.

3. someone or something that consoles.

   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; see solace

Explanation

Consolation is something that makes someone feel better after they're disappointed or sad. This is a word for things that try to console someone. A consolation prize isn't as good as first prize, but it's better than nothing. A hug is little consolation when you've had your heart broken. You give someone consolation when try to cheer them up. Consolation can be the act of making someone feel better, like trying to make them laugh, but it can also be something that makes someone happy, like a plate of warm cookies.

Example Sentences

Joao Pedro's stoppage-time overhead kick did save Chelsea the humiliation of losing six matches in a row without scoring for the first time in their history, but it was scant consolation.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Buckingham Palace assiduously avoids being drawn on the political issue of the day, and the king’s interventions are largely reserved for warm words of support for great endeavors or consolation during national tragedies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Absent that, Donnyland could be an attractive consolation prize.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

That’s scant consolation for those hoping to fly somewhere this summer—unless they also happen to own Delta stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

But it came out sounding broad, perfunctory, like the token consolation of a kind stranger.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

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