solace

1 of 2

verb

so·lace ˈsä-ləs

also ˈsō-

solaced; solacing

transitive verb

: to give comfort to in grief or misfortune : console

: to make cheerful

: amuse

: allay, soothe

solace grief

solacement

ˈsä-ləs-mənt

also ˈsō-

noun

solacer noun

solace

2 of 2

noun

: comfort in grief : alleviation of grief or anxiety

: a source of relief or consolation

Did you know?

Take Solace in This Word Origin

Solace is a 14th century borrowing from Latin by way of Anglo-French. Its Latin ancestor solari means “to console.” (Solari itself is from the Greek word hilaros, meaning “cheerful”—also source, of course, of hilarious.) Solace is not related to solar (that comes from Latin sol by way of solaris), but it is a close relation of console (“to try to make (someone) feel less sadness or disappointment”) and consolation (“something that makes a person feel less sadness, disappointment, etc.”). In addition to its noun function, solace can be used as a verb (“he was solaced by the company of his children”). For those of you who take solace in knowing the more obscure members of our vast language, we are pleased to also present solacer (“one who solaces”) and solacement (“an act of solacing or the condition of being solaced”).

Example Sentences

Verb Solaced by an abundance of whisky, champagne and cigars, he always bounced back, restoring and recreating himself through intensely active immersion in one or another of his varied interests …

Robert Kuttner, New York Times Book Review, 23 Oct. 1988 In this deplorable state, I contrived to do, what I take to have been, three Objective things. I got Mr. Franklin his sherry; I retired to my own room; and I solaced myself with the most composing pipe of tobacco I ever remember to have smoked in my life.

Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, 1868 … and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duets after supper …

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813 counselors did their best to solace the bereaved children I solaced myself with a book while I waited for the bus. Noun Think your city's suffering? Imagine if your favorite team bolted town after 41 seasons, not for some cosmopolitan burg but a dusty outpost where oil derricks qualify as urban skyline. Now imagine turning to your city's other teams for solace only to find each to be avert-your-eyes abysmal.

Chris Ballard, Sports Illustrated, 10 Nov. 2008 It's important to explain what's going on, but some parents tell their child too much—about being lonely and frightened, about dates they're going on. Instead of the parent offering emotional solace to the child, the child is expected to provide it for the adult.

People, 4 Mar. 2002 Poe's poem is a morbidly sentimental threnody on the same theme: the speaker blames the envious angels for taking his beloved from this world, and finds solace in lying beside her grave.

David Lodge, The Art of Fiction, 1992 Her presence was a great solace for me. the kind words brought a little solace to the grieving widow See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Greene emerged from the episode unrepentant and unburdened of lawmaking responsibilities — and enjoying the continued support of Trump, who called to offer solace the day her committee assignments were taken away.

Robert Draper, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2022 Identifying and utilizing wild edible plants is an ancient skill set that in modern times is a fun outdoor activity that provides food and solace away from everyday life.

Tim Macwelch, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2021 Among the misery and isolation of 2020, my secret Instagram became a portal to solace and a newer self.

Jason Parham, Wired, 28 Dec. 2020 Against this backdrop of vulnerability, BTS also offered audiences solace through eye-catching stages.

Lenika Cruz, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2020 That should give others solace for when Santa makes his wider rounds on December 24.

Ryan Prior, CNN, 19 Dec. 2020 Gardens bring joy, delight, sustenance and even solace.

Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2020 Having left her 1-year-old daughter, Millicent, in Washington with her parents, Mabel solaced herself with the bustle of dinners, carriage rides, musicales and games of whist mainly organized by the town’s eminent couple, Susan and Austin Dickinson.

Brenda Wineapple, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2018

Noun

Democrats can find some solace in the fact that some key seats Republicans targeted did not fall.

Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2022 Schulz doesn’t shy away from the fact that some of the afflicted may never find solace.

Edna Bonhomme, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2022 Whataburger shake may find solace in a new menu item.

Shepard Price, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Oct. 2022 Bayou and Leanne find solace in one another, meeting in secret at night.

Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Sep. 2022 Ever since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, people have looked for ways to find solace.

Richard Galant, CNN, 14 Aug. 2022 Many were upset by the violence and were looking for solace.

Anchorage Daily News, 2 Nov. 2022 Kasten’s father, Bob, the senior pastor, offered words of solace and encouraged people to lean on their faith.

Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2022 Your old favourites can be a reliable source of solace.

Peter Rubin, Longreads, 23 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.