CONSOLING Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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

Also somewhat consoling is the ongoing investigation by the FBI. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Seeing Kat and Kayley do their make-up together in the crew mess gives her the perfect opportunity to ask shirtless Coop for a consoling hug. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 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

That gave way to sadness and the responsibility of consoling distraught students. — Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 The trailer has shots of medical staff treating screaming and severely injured patients, performing chest compressions and Robby consoling a grieving family member who received some tragic news. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consoling

Noun

But that's little consolation for those who are stuck on the outskirts of the job market, knocking on doors that rarely open.

— Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Arkansas lost its 14th straight SEC game, but played markedly better than in their first two conference games of the coach Ryan Silverfield era, though that’s hardly consolation given the length of the streak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of consolation

Adjective

The reassuring news is that eating out by yourself is becoming more common, and research suggests solo dining can offer freedom, relaxation and genuine enjoyment.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
That would be a more reassuring arrangement if Other Mommy weren’t so obviously… wrong.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of reassuring

Verb

Warm yet uplifting with a strong hit of black tea, Still Bloom's cardomom, sesame, and orange top notes hit like a shot of caffeine before dissipating into a mellow, comforting underbelly of musk, rose and cedarwood, to name a few.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
That means the baby’s crib or bassinet can be next to the parents’ bed, which makes feeding and comforting easier, but the baby should sleep on a separate surface.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of comforting

Noun

Its press release noted that the decision to file for bankruptcy was made to maximize shareholder value, while the blog only pointed to the privacy policy as reassurance to users that no sensitive data would be shared outside the platform.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
For now, local producers are guardedly optimistic that such political goodwill will last, while their foreign counterparts will look for reassurances that the rebate is back on solid footing.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of reassurance

Adjective

Expansive exterior decks and a generous flybridge create space for entertaining, relaxing, or even exercising in the great outdoors.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
Tushy Fresh Dual-Nozzle Bidet Offering easy installation, this bidet with a no-frills interface has some relaxing perks (including a heated water option) without too many extra knobs and levers.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxing

Verb

Reed, among the first to defect to LIV Golf in 2022, chose not to renew his LIV contract this year and leads the European tour points list, assuring him a return to the PGA Tour next year.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Economists failed badly in the early years of the climate fight, assuring the world that real damage wouldn’t come until late in this century.

— Bill McKibben, Time, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of assuring

Verb

On top of that, the plugs offer passive isolation (the seal of the bud) and adaptive sound masking (soothing audio tracks that help cover up your beloved’s snoring).

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The restaurant on the ground floor features red brick arches, midcentury sconces and a soothing interior with plush beige armchairs and warm wood accents.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothing

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consolidations

consoling

consonance

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“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of consoling

noun

adjective

verb

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