consolatory

Meant to comfort

Consolatory means offering or intended to offer comfort and reassurance to someone in distress or grief.

A consolatory gesture, word, or letter aims to ease sorrow rather than solve the underlying problem.

The word is somewhat formal; in everyday speech, people more often say comforting.

comforting

solace

Relief from distress

soothingReducing distress or discomfort
reassuringRestoring calm or confidence
hearteningInspiring confidence or cheer

alleviating · assuaging · palliative · relieving · balm · salve · ameliorating · easing · softening · gentling

supportive

encouraging

Giving confidence or hope

upliftingEmotionally encouraging
affirmingDeclaring something true
nurturingSupportive care-giving

bolstering · sustaining · fortifying · strengthening · backing · rallying · steadying · grounding · anchoring · stabilizing

empathetic

compassionate

Showing concern for sufferers

sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
understandingMental comprehension of something
caringShowing kind concern

tender · warmhearted · kindhearted · gentle · considerate · solicitous · commiserating · condoling · pitying · feeling

calming

soothing

Reducing distress or discomfort

tranquilCalm and untroubled
sereneUntroubled and composed
peacefulFree from disturbance

quieting · pacifying · placating · settling · stilling · hushing · lulling · sedative · anodyne · restful

Opposites

emotional effect

consolatorydistressing

Causing anguish or worry

upsetting · demoralizing · disheartening · dispiriting · worrisome

interpersonal manner

consolatoryharsh

Unpleasantly severe or rough

cruel · dismissive · callous · cold · heartless

Family

console, consolation, consoled, consoling, disconsolate, consoles, unconsoled, reconsolidate

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G