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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Yet coach Tata Martino, who won an MLS Cup with Atlanta in 2018, isn’t interested in consolation prizes.

From Los Angeles Times

The position is D.C. shadow senator, part of a delegation to Congress that serves as a consolation prize for the nearly 700,000 residents who have no actual representation in the Capitol.

From Slate

For those who, like Vanney, are not fans of the current playoff format, history offers this consolation: just be patience because chances are it’s about to change.

From Los Angeles Times

Gordon Chan Kum Tong scored a late consolation try for the tourists in an entertaining contest.

From BBC

Related Words

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