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

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

The resulting music is [a recording of] Black women looking at these images, crying, praying, consoling, avenging—and that’s really what happened. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 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

The fans who were in line were given free pizza as a consolation for the long wait.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of consolation

Verb

Save as a collection on MyRecipes Fall recipes feature hearty, comforting dishes with seasonal ingredients like squash, apples, and sweet potatoes.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of comforting

Noun

Notably, those contracts are right at the money, making this trade a major vote of confidence for a stock desperately in need of some reassurance heading into this afternoon's print.

— Tyler Bailey, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Smaller experiments might include briefly leaving the phone at home, or making a low-stakes decision without asking others for reassurance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reassurance

Adjective

In general, the reduction of decision-making to easy choices was, for me, possibly the most relaxing element of all.

— Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of relaxing

Verb

Processing around a million or more disputes a year creates a burden on administrative tasks such as case management, assuring consistency in documentation, assuring applicants meet eligibility criteria and developing reimbursement plans.

— Christine Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Officials, developers and their architects and engineers have either declined to comment or questioned the researchers’ motives while assuring the public that the buildings are safe.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of assuring

Adjective

There’s nothing more calming than watching people try to redo their houses into the home of their dreams.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Warm nutmeg milk Milk delivers tryptophan and calcium, while a pinch of nutmeg brings mild calming compounds.

— Patsy Anthony, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of calming

Verb

The hay sauna was a real standout—its subtly sweet scent is both soothing and restorative, said to ease inflammation and relax muscles.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
And because acne-prone skin still needs moisture, the formula pairs two forms of hyaluronic acid with soothing panthenol to replenish hydration and prevent irritation.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothing

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consolidations

consoling

consonance

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Style

“Consoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consoling. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of consoling

noun

adjective

verb

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