cold comfort

noun

: quite limited sympathy, consolation, or encouragement
Such remonstrances against panic are cold comfort to the working-class people affected …—Gilbert Taylor

Examples of cold comfort in a Sentence

The good news about the economy is cold comfort to people who have lost their jobs.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That’s cold comfort for those dying on the streets. — Sal Rodriguez, Daily News, 28 May 2026 For Boyd, the Virginia farmer, this is cold comfort. — Hannah Parker, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026 Yes, many of us cheered our federal tax refund — or at least a lower bill — but that’s cold comfort when gas is over $5 a gallon here in Illinois. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026 The fact that the vast majority of victims of crime in the country are Mexican citizens — and attacks on tourists are relatively rare — may be cold comfort for some. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cold comfort

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold comfort was in 1571

Rhymes for cold comfort

See All Rhymes for cold comfort

Browse Nearby Words

coldcock
cold comfort
cold cream
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cold comfort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20comfort. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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