consoling 1 of 3

noun

as in comforting
the giving of hope and strength in times of grief, distress, or suffering the responsibility for the consoling of the families of the firefighters fell to the mayor

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consoling

2 of 3

adjective

as in reassuring

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Dissimilar Words

consoling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of console
as in assuring
to ease the grief or distress of the military officer who must console the bereaved at a soldier's funeral

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consoling
Noun
As such, Pinheiro was correct in reversing his original decision, leaving Embolo in tears and in need of consoling by team-mates. — Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026 Miller, who said the plan for the team was to keep playing next season, even without access to the state playoffs, tried to offer consoling words. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Adjective
This analogy is strangely anticlimactic and almost consoling, but a pedestrian ending comes with the territory in a scrupulously realistic book about the inconceivable. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Certainly, the consoling notion surfaced quickly among the Chiefs after their 28-21 loss to Buffalo on Sunday at Highmark Stadium. — Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
Instead of consoling Messi, his Argentine teammates were embroiled in a brawl. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Embolo left the pitch appearing to cry, as teammates and coaches tried consoling him. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026 The hopeful part of this docu comes from its revelations about other methods, more environmentally friendly and actually consoling for those left behind. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Prior to the trophy ceremony following the match, de Minaur was seen sitting next to Fokina consoling him after yet another brutal loss. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 27 June 2026 They could be seen hugging and consoling each other. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 19 May 2026 The outlet reported family members were seen embracing and consoling one another. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 State media has repeatedly shown Kim honoring returning North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia and consoling the families of those killed. — Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026 Despite nearly losing his business, Schoen’s main goal that day — and ever since — has been helping and consoling other victims, his daughter said. — Abrielle Kate Maddison, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consoling
  1. consolation
  2. reassuring
  3. comforting
  4. reassurance
  5. relaxing
  6. assuring
  7. calming
  8. soothing
Noun
  • Now, the winner of each bracket final Saturday (Purple and Orange) will advance to the championship Sunday, while the losing teams will play in a consolation game.
    — Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The poetry of this movie, in short, is in Dafoe, who gives his finest performance in years—a long trek from bliss to despair to disillusionment, and finally to the odd contentment and consolation that disillusionment often brings.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of consolation
Adjective
  • The company's most reassuring update involves its security services.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Burke later brought up immigration concerns, reassuring families that schools are safe places.
    — Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of reassuring
Verb
  • His prose radiates an ecstatic pessimism, as if lit up from within by the relief of not having to sugarcoat things with comforting lies.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Grandma gardens create a nostalgic, comforting atmosphere with layered, classic pastel-hued blooms.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of comforting
Noun
  • The actor's limited screen time, primarily relegated to head-nodding and offering reassurance to Odysseus, has sparked memes on social media, including a Kratos spoof of her character.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The question arrives with an obvious right answer attached, usually in a moment already loaded with feeling, and people are generally motivated to give reassurance when reassurance is being requested.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of reassurance
Adjective
  • But thanks to Kemble’s careful vision, it gets pulled together into a relaxing space where there's always a new detail to catch your eye.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Grocery shopping for school-age kids is not a relaxing, easy-to-manage weekly chore.
    — Parents, Parents, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • His dad handed him one of E&R Laundry’s fliers, assuring Hurewitz-Ravitch that a campus laundry service would save him time.
    — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Athletics haven’t won a series at Sutter Health Park since June 14 and have gone 12-35 since, assuring their postseason drought will extend to six seasons.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of assuring
Adjective
  • From humorous and whimsical to elegant and calming, the choice is yours.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The best way to make sure your words have a calming effect is to bend down to your child’s eye level, hold their hands in yours, and take a few deep breaths.
    — Francesca Castagnoli, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of calming
Verb
  • Beehives contain volatile organic compounds like propolis, beeswax and honey esters, which can have soothing properties, according to health officials with the Cleveland Clinic.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Add water to your landscape for soothing sounds and a pretty accent to your flowers and greenery.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of soothing

Browse Nearby Words

consolidations
consoling
consonance
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Cite this Entry

“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on consoling

Nglish: Translation of consoling for Spanish Speakers

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