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Showing results for consolation. Search instead for disconsolations.
Synonyms

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The only consolation now might be that this tournament won’t be held entirely without Italian representation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Every criticism of the book is anticipated by the author, whose wry critique is little consolation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

A consolation on a savagely hard game, but something.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

If “Sinners” does win best picture, how’s this for a consolation: Anderson, who came into the year having never won despite 11 nominations, will go home with two Oscars — director and adapted screenplay.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Darlene the Ninth is a nice consolation gift.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

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.