consoling 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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consoling

2 of 3

adjective

consoling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of console

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 the consolations of art do not depend on achievement, and that might be Kingsolver’s most direct riposte to her critics.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In these cases, a president can act as a moral force, particularly in consolation.
    — John Dickerson, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • At the end of the film, Paul Giamatti’s David Slade (a government director at the Department of Energy) offers a reassuring one-liner to Tatiana Maslany’s character about the factual nature of science.
    — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But the view from the corporate level is much less reassuring.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The food is a mixed bag—ranging from comforting to unimpressive to genuinely delicious, in the case of Or’esh, which was the clear standout.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But despite the reassurances from Russia's government, the lack of any clear explanation for Shiplova's death has left rumors to swirl about what might have killed her, and what work might be underway at the Russian research center.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • What Could Be Next Expect the diet-odor conversation to keep expanding on three fronts over the coming months, and expect each one to carry a practical choice for readers who want results, not reassurance.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • If your idea of a relaxing fall weekend does not involve joining everybody else in America at the Smokies, Bowron also offered a more under-the-radar option.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, according to a ranking from vape retailer Vape and Go, Tallinn, Estonia, is Europe’s most relaxing metro for travelers in 2026.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2026
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
  • At the same time, First Selectwoman Vicki Tesoro has been assuring residents that the change wouldn’t create the massive power and water usage associated with modern jumbo data centers.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The property has 21 private cottages, each simple, calming, and tech-free, promoting deep rest and focus.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Some studies suggest that L-theanine may increase alpha waves in the brain, which have a calming, relaxing effect and can improve sleep quality.
    — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • British-Nigerian actor Toheeb Jimoh had already adopted the gadget for its anxiety-soothing properties, meanwhile.
    — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The rooms at Stockholm’s Stadshotell (formerly a women’s shelter) are exquisite, lovely examples of soothing Scandinavian minimalism.
    — Riza Cruz, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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