disconsolate
Americanadjective
-
without consolation or solace; hopelessly unhappy; inconsolable.
Loss of her pet dog made her disconsolate.
- Synonyms:
- miserable, sorrowful, melancholy, sad, dejected, heartbroken
-
characterized by or causing dejection; cheerless; gloomy.
disconsolate prospects.
- Synonyms:
- miserable, sorrowful, melancholy, sad
adjective
-
sad beyond comfort; inconsolable
-
disappointed; dejected
Related Words
See desolate.
Other Word Forms
- disconsolately adverb
- disconsolateness noun
- disconsolation noun
Etymology
Origin of disconsolate
1325–75; Middle English < Medieval Latin disconsōlātus, equivalent to Latin dis- dis- 1 + consōlātus consoled, past participle of consōlārī to console 1; see -ate 1
Explanation
If you are sad and can't be cheered up, you're disconsolate. Why were you disconsolate after scoring a touchdown? Oh...it was for the other team. In addition to meaning "inconsolable," the adjective disconsolate can also mean "dejected." Most people would be disconsolate after being laid off from a job, losing a beloved pet, or missing out on tickets to see a favorite band play live. This word ultimately derives from the Latin verb consolari, meaning "to cheer (someone) up or offer comfort to."
Vocabulary lists containing disconsolate
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Call of the Wild
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Diary of Anne Frank
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An emotional Kyren Wilson is cutting a dejected and disconsolate figure in the dark and grey bowels of the York Barbican.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026
Marianne is first consumed by her own infatuation, then disconsolate when Willoughby dumps her for an heiress, and finally felled by a fever.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025
Cronin looks pale and disconsolate, but he showed up for the postgame rehash and answered every question and accepted full responsibility.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2024
Looking disconsolate as he tried to process the loss while sitting on his chair, Medvedev managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd when they applauded his efforts.
From BBC • Jan. 28, 2024
The gossiwor, played only in the king’s presence, produces a preposterous disconsolate bellow.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
