consoling

[kuhn-soh-ling]

adjective

1. alleviating or lessening grief, sorrow, or disappointment; giving comfort.

   He gave his companion a consoling clap on the shoulder.

   The consoling power of the book arises not so much from the humor as from the detail with which the author renders his world.

Other Word Forms

• consolingly adverb
• nonconsoling adjective
• nonconsolingly adverb
• self-consoling adjective
• unconsoling adjective
• unconsolingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of consoling¹

consol(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The children ran to console her, though they could have used some consoling themselves.

Read more on Literature

She sent encouraging emails to players and coaches after games, celebrating or consoling them depending on the outcome.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Our episode didn’t capture scenes of us consoling the oldest when his night terrors returned or taking calls from school on shoot days when the youngest begged to come home.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Martinez had not only failed to help Baker, but had urged Blalock to “finish him off” and then posed as a consoling friend to the grieving family.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This final turn is less consoling or condemnatory than darkly revealing about our assumptions about Michaela, who's portrayed as a controlling fury for most of the story.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• assistance 
• backing 
• cheer 
• comfort 
• confidence 
• consolation 
• faith 
• fortitude 
• incentive 
• inspiration 
• optimism 
• reassurance 
• relief 
• reward 
• stimulation 
• stimulus