consolation
Solace for sorrow
Consolation is comfort received after a loss or disappointment.
A consolation prize goes to a loser—something, but not what they wanted.
The word often carries a sense of inadequacy: It was small consolation that others had failed too.
To console someone is to offer such comfort, though the comfort may fall short of actually helping.
Words meant to calm
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- hearteningInspiring confidence or cheer
- cheeringVocal encouragement given
optimism · support · morale · courage · fortitude · affirmation · boost · positivity
Relief from distress
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- balmHealing topical preparation
- succorHelp given in distress
- respiteShort pause from hardship
relief · ease · peace · serenity · tranquility · repose · healing · remedy
Concern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- condolenceExpression of shared grief
- commiserationPity expressed for suffering
- understandingMental comprehension of something
kindness · caring · tenderness · concern · sensitivity · pity · heartfelt · solidarity
Support given freely
- assistanceSupport or aid given
- helpAssistance given
- allySupportive partner
- advocatePublic cause supporter
shoulder · anchor · pillar · rock · friend · companion · confidant · listener
Competition's silver finisher
- boobyFool or tropical seabird
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- substituteReplacement for another
reassurance
Words meant to calm
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- hearteningInspiring confidence or cheer
cheering · optimism · support · morale · courage · fortitude · affirmation · boost · positivity · inspiration
solace
Relief from distress
respite · relief · ease · peace · serenity · tranquility · repose · healing · remedy · salve
compassion
Concern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- condolenceExpression of shared grief
- commiserationPity expressed for suffering
understanding · kindness · caring · tenderness · concern · sensitivity · pity · heartfelt · solidarity · humanity
aid
Support given freely
- assistanceSupport or aid given
- helpAssistance given
- allySupportive partner
advocate · shoulder · anchor · pillar · rock · friend · companion · confidant · listener · presence
runner-up
Competition's silver finisher
- boobyFool or tropical seabird
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
- compensationPayment for services rendered
substitute · alternative · makeshift · fallback · participation
- social interactiongreeting, hello, goodbye, hi, bye
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- griefgrief, mourning, bereavement, sorrow, grieving
- wrestlingbody slam, wrestlers, takedown, pinfall, suplex
- condolencesmy condolences, heartfelt condolences, deepest sympathy, sorry for your loss, with sympathy
- emotional momentsapology, bonding, comfort, compassion, confession
consolationtorment
Severe prolonged suffering
distress · torture · anguish · agony · affliction
consolationdiscouragement
Loss of confidence
disheartening · demoralization · antagonism · reproach · rebuke
- consolation prizeAward for losing participants
- consolation goalLosing team's lone tally
- consolation roundContest for non-winners
- consolation gameCompetition for non-finalists
- consolation bracketCompetition for eliminated contestants