Do you know the definition of solace? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word solace, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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October 21, 2021
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What does the word solace mean?
According to Collins English Dictionary (Unabridged) and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word solace is a noun and a verb that means comfort, consolation or support in times of disappointment, distress, grief, tribulations, or times of sorrow. Solace is two syllables – sol-ace, and the pronunciation of solace is ˈsɒlɪs. This word is similar to the noun comfort. One might find solace in anything, such as finding the solace of belief in a minister’s visit, finding solace in recreation, or polio patients finding solace of her letters.
Many different languages also contain words that mean solace. You may notice that in this list of translations of solace from Word Sense that some of these words and phrases look and sound a lot like the word solace. These are called cognates, which is when translations look similar, sound similar, and mean something similar. These are usually formed when words have the same root or language of origin. You can also find translations in a Spanish dictionary, German dictionary, Italian dictionary 1st edition, or French electronic resource.
- Portuguese: consolo (masc.)
- Slovak: útecha (fem.)
- Swedish: tröst
- Scottish Gaelic: sòlas (masc.)
- Dutch: troost (masc.), soelaas (neut.)
- Georgian: ნუგეში
- Korean: 위안
- Italian: consolazione (fem.), conforto (masc.)
- Finnish: lohtu, lohdutus
- German: Trost (masc.)
- Bashkir: йыуаныс
- Persian: تسلی (tasalli)
- Danish: trøst
- Norwegian: trøst
- Spanish: consuelo (masc.), solaz (masc.)
- Catalan: consol
- French: consolation, réconfort
- Hebrew: נחמה
- Czech: útěcha (fem.)
- Hungarian: vigasz
- Greek: παρηγοριά (fem.)
- Polish: pociecha (fem.)
- Turkish: teselli
- Russian: утеше́ние (neut.), смягче́ние
- Romanian: consolare (fem.), reconfortare (fem.)
- Ido: konsolaco
What is the origin of the word solace?
According to Etymonline, the word solace has been used since late 13c as the Middle English solas and comes from the Old French solaz and Old French solas meaning comfort or console, as well as the Latin solacium/Latin sōlācium/Latin sōlātium comfort and Latin solatus, which mean a soothing or consolation. This comes from the past participle of solari/The Latin verb sōlārī meaning to soothe, and the Medieval Latin solatiare, which comes from a suffixed form or the Proto-Indo-European root salh meaning to reconcile, which is also the source of the Greek hilaros. The adjectival form salacious (adj.) has been used since the 16th and 17th centuries. Different suffixes like et, est, ment, and more can be added to the end of solace to form related words.
How can the word solace be used in a sentence?
There are many examples of solace that can be used in sentences. Looking at example sentences is a great way to add words to your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards and quizzes for yourself to test your own knowledge. See if you can use this word of the day in a sentence today! You never know, it could become one of your new favorite words. Below are several examples of the word solace to help get you started.
Reading Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen may bring one person great solace while someone else might find an alleviation of distress from wretchedness by a nice support, or emotional solace from a minister’s visit.
The dying man’s only solace was in solitude. He found satisfaction and enjoyment in films starring Colin Farrell and Anthony Hopkins, and could focus on the wisdom of the films rather than regret in his life. This psychological comfort was met by a silvery light at the end of this day.
At sleepaway camp, the young girl found new sources of solace in her counselors who helped her see the bring side and silver lining to her new feeling of freedom. They had empathy for her missing her family, and offered limited consolation before encouraging her to stay active. Their devotion and compliments made her happy.
While her happy marriage had dissolved, she found solace in attending live performances from her favorite rock and roll band. She attended stoner rock festivals to see the hard rock band and others of the stoner rock genre, and even tried her hand at being a guitarist for the remaining members of Atlantic Records artist and member Tommy Southard who toured at Europe’s Roadburn festival and all over the United States. Now that her husband was gone, she could finally be in a heavy metal band or stoner band like she wanted.
What are synonyms and antonyms of solace?
There are many equivalent words for solace. Synonyms are words and phrases that have the same meaning or definition as another word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself in written and spoken English. This list of synonyms of solace is provided by Power Thesaurus.
- succour
- diversion
- consolations
- soothes
- consolation
- entertain
- relax
- regale
- condolence
- boost
- relief
- solacement
- lighten
- pity
- humor
- commiserate
- bring comfort to
- elate
- quieten
- relieve
- divert
- mitigate
- exhilarate
- alleviation
- ease
- amuse
- entertainment
- comforted
- elevate
- encourage
- pacify
- compose
- invigorate
- chill
- show sympathy
- enliven
- sympathy
- encouragement
- condolement
- beguile
- hearten
- assuage
- balm
- amusement
- support
- appease
- buoy
- lift
- still
- comforting
- buck up
- commiseration
- decompress
- show forgiveness
- commiserate with
- quiet
- easement
- assuagement
- sustain
- allay
- help
- calm
- be sympathetic
- aid
- cheer
- condole with
- fortify
- brighten
- tranquilize
- alleviate
- assure
- please
- condole
- excite
- compassion
- gladden
- placate
- reassurance
- sympathize
- uplift
- appeasement
- conciliate
- consoling
- animate
- mollify
- delight
- cheer up
- comfort
- comforts
- console
- pleasure
- succor
- soften
- buoy up
- condolences
- lament with
- reassure
- soothing
- soothe
- charm
There are also numerous words and phrases that mean the opposite of the word solace. These opposite words are called antonyms. Learning antonyms is useful for expanding your English language vocabulary in a quick and easy way. This list of antonyms for the word solace is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
- get down
- fear
- put someone’s back up
- dampen someone’s spirits
- exhaust
- ailment
- bring down
- weigh heavily on
- torture
- agony
- afflict
- dispirit
- haunt
- dash someone’s hopes
- lose one’s temper
- unhinge
- pain
- grieve
- dismay
- cause suffering to
- worry
- anxiety
- boredom
- make someone’s heart bleed
- crush one’s spirit
- anguish
- cast down
- discompose
- make sad
- sea of grief
- demoralize
- become angry suddenly
- get someone’s goat
- make gloomy
- unnerve
- undo
- ail
- complaint
- subdue
- daunt
- knock the stuffing out of
- sap
- bring tears to someone’s eyes
- agitate
- disconcert
- knock sideways
- depress
- drive someone up the wall
- oppress
- discourage
- annoy
- heartache
- perturb
- shake
- harrow
- make despondent
- disappoint
- enfeeble
- trouble
- deter
- make unhappy
- give someone the blues
- exercise
- disharmony
- make desolate
- debilitate
- aggravation
- make someone fed up
- cow
- doldrums
- get someone’s back up
- hang over
- torment
- desolate
- hurt
- drain
- break someone’s spirit
- distress
- bore
- make someone see red
- weigh down
- break someone’s heart
- disquiet
- crush
- drive someone up a wall
- discomfort
- bother
- knock for six
- enervate
- concern
- get someone’s dander up
- dash
- disturb
- sadden
- unsettle
- deject
- dishearten
- upset
- affliction
- burden
Overall, the word solace means comfort or soothing. This word can be used as a noun or a verb.
Sources:
- Solace definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
- solace: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense
- solace | Origin and meaning of solace | Online Etymology Dictionary
- Solace synonyms – 1 349 Words and Phrases for Solace | Power Thesaurus
- Solace antonyms – 946 Opposites of Solace | Power Thesaurus
