1 solace | Definition of solace

solace

verb
so·​lace | \ ˈsä-ləs also ˈsō- How to pronounce solace (audio) \
solaced; solacing

Definition of solace

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to give comfort to in grief or misfortune : console
2a : to make cheerful
b : amuse
3 : allay, soothe solace grief

solace

noun
so·​lace | \ ˈsä-ləs also ˈsō- How to pronounce solace (audio) \

Definition of solace (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : comfort in grief : alleviation of grief or anxiety
2 : a source of relief or consolation

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Other Words from solace

Verb

solacement \ ˈsä-​ləs-​mənt How to pronounce solacement (audio) also  ˈsō-​ \ noun
solacer noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for solace

Synonyms: Verb

assure, cheer, comfort, console, reassure, soothe

Synonyms: Noun

cheer, comfort, consolation, relief

Antonyms: Verb

distress, torment, torture, trouble

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Take Solace in This Word Origin

Noun

Solace was borrowed into English in the 14th century (via Anglo-French) from Latin solacium, which in turn derives from the Latin verb solari, meaning "to console." As you may have guessed, "solari" is also the source of the English words "console" and "consolation" (formed by combination with the prefix com-). In addition to the noun function, "solace" can be used as a verb ("he was solaced by the company of his children"). Also related are the nouns "solacer" ("one who solaces") and "solacement" ("an act of solacing or the condition of being solaced" or "something that solaces").

Examples of solace in a Sentence

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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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, "‘After Emily’ Review: The Belles of Amherst," 25 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

DiCaprio is heartrending as Rick, who seeks solace in booze and breaks into not-too-manly tears on a regular basis. Laura Demarco, cleveland.com, "Quentin Tarantino’s brilliant, audacious “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” brings 1969 to vivid life (review)," 24 July 2019 The foreign box office has provided some solace, however. Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, "Box Office Blues: 2019 Revenue Down Nearly 10 Percent Midyear," 1 July 2019 And when her son, now 15, was born, the medication provided her solace during his father's frequent absences. Kaitlin Menza, Good Housekeeping, "Mommy's Little Helper:," 13 Aug. 2016 Finding solace of the self requires a muted response these days. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, "The Decline of Yelling," 31 July 2019 Khloé Kardashian‘s Revenge Body show helps people find confidence within themselves — as well as solace. Tomás Mier, PEOPLE.com, "Khloé Kardashian Comforts Revenge Body Star Who Lost Husband in 'Horrible Car Accident'," 31 July 2019 The only solace Newgarden can take is that he's been in a position like this before, and mistakes like this tend to fuel him. Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Josef Newgarden's critical last-lap error leaves IndyCar championship door wide open," 28 July 2019 Democrats can at least take solace that many of those voters did not go to the polls and vote Republican. BostonGlobe.com, "Should Election Day be a national holiday?," 26 July 2019 The only solace on Thursday came from another Supreme Court case. Matt Ford, The New Republic, "A Partisan Supreme Court Upholds Partisan Power," 27 June 2019

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.

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First Known Use of solace

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for solace

Noun and Verb

Middle English solas, from Anglo-French, from Latin solacium, from solari to console

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More Definitions for solace

solace

noun

English Language Learners Definition of solace

formal : someone or something that gives a feeling of comfort to a person who is sad, depressed, etc. : a source of comfort

solace

noun