consolation

[ kon-suh-ley-shuhn ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• consolatory, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consolation¹

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

The Bruins went on to lose to Wisconsin in perhaps the first Rose Bowl seen as a consolation prize.

From Los Angeles Times

The addition of Longstreet, who rose rapidly up recruiting boards, is no consolation prize.

From Los Angeles Times

Their praise for his dedication to training offered little consolation to anyone who parted with their time or money to watch or attend the event.

From BBC

But this time, there’s no consolation, not even temporary, in whiskey and dancing.

From New York Times

I know, it’s not much of a consolation, but it’s something better than awful in these dark times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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