condolence

noun

con·do·lence kən-ˈdō-lən(t)s How to pronounce condolence (audio)

also ˈkän-də-

: sympathy with another in sorrow

: an expression of sympathy

—usually plural

The bereaved family received many condolences.

Did you know?

Condolence and Condolences

When used in the singular, condolence generally refers to sympathetic sorrow, and particularly sorrow with regard to the loss of life. It is used when speaking indirectly of that shared sorrow:

After the 1985 Bradford stadium fire, during the Prime Minister's visit of condolence to the city, . . .
— William Leith, The Independent (London), 25 Nov. 1990

and often in a modifying position:

Still, although I felt for him, I barely knew the guy. Would it be inappropriate to pay a condolence call? Did they want their privacy?
— Alan Gelb, The New York Times Magazine, 7 Jan. 1990

Last week, people around the world showed their support for Russia. They held candlelight vigils, sent condolence letters and signed memory books.
— Jeremy Caplan, TIME for Kids, 17 Sept. 2004

The plural condolences, on the other hand, is often used specifically for an expression of sympathy, and most often appears in the construction my condolences, which is used to communicate sympathy. While condolences is often used to share sorrow over a death:

The prime minister of the day attended Hardy's funeral. . . . King George V and the Prince of Wales telegraphed their condolences.
— Terry Eagleton, Harper’s, November 2007

it can also be used of anything perceived of as a misfortune:

The odds of getting Apert syndrome are about the same as getting killed by lightning: 1 in 100,000. Indeed, for his family, Nate's birth was a lightning bolt: it came from the blue and was a shock to the system. Instead of getting congratulatory notes, the couple got condolences.
Bella English, Boston Globe, 1 Oct. 2000

Within mere hours of Ted Lambros's rejection for tenure at Harvard, communications began to pour in from every important university center of the United States. Some were simply to express condolences.
— Erich Segal, The Class, 1985

Condolences is sometimes used humorously, whereas condolence is not:

Tell someone you're from Buffalo, and you get the Look: If pity and condescension got it on, this is the baby they'd make. Something in the eyes that offers condolences for everything from playing childhood games in a frozen tundropolis to four straight Super Bowl losses.
— Nick Bakay, ESPN, 28 June 1999

Condolences is the more common form of the word, and should be used when expressing your sympathy at someone’s loss.

Example Sentences

The governor issued a statement of condolence to the victims' families. We wish to express our sincere condolences to your family.

Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, King Charles will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall and later begin a tour of the United Kingdom.

Claire Parker, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Soon, the White Blaze forum and social media were overflowing with messages of condolence, grief, and disbelief.

Dan Koeppel, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2019 Ocean Park set up a condolence booth at the panda enclosure, where staff placed white flowers to bid farewell to their fuzzy friend.

Karina Tsui, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Sharpie pens are attached to each of them on a string, so members of the community can write messages of condolence and love.

Time, 27 May 2022 After more than a dozen children and a teacher were shot and killed at a Texas elementary school, Utah politicians released statements about their heartbreak and offered condolence to the families of the victims of America’s latest mass shooting.

Jeff Parrott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Celebrating one's life, this unique condolence gift can also be personalized further.

Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 24 May 2022 Everyone from Paul McCartney to First Lady Jill Biden shared words of condolence for Foo Fighters and the drummer’s family — widow Alison and the couple’s three children, Oliver, Annabelle, and Everleigh.

Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2022 Fans took to social media Saturday to express condolence for the longtime character.

Lillian Reed, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2022 See More

condolence

noun

as in sympathy

a feeling or expression of care and sadness especially when someone is suffering because of the death of a family member, a friend, etc. The governor issued a statement of condolence to the victims' families. a letter of condolence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sympathy
regret
kindness
compassion
commiseration
generosity
pity
ruth
empathy
understanding
mercy
humaneness
humanity
feeling
kindliness
sensitivity
affinity
goodwill
kindheartedness
rapport
magnanimity
softheartedness
warmheartedness
benevolence
altruism
humanitarianism
charity
benignity
philanthropy
largesse
largeheartedness
bigheartedness
largess

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

indifference
hatred
cruelty
insensitivity
unconcern
animosity
hostility
inhumanity
harshness
callousness
antipathy
heartlessness
dislike
coldheartedness
hard-heartedness

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of condolence are commiseration, compassion, pity, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

In some situations, the words commiseration and condolence are roughly equivalent. However, commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

The meanings of compassion and condolence largely overlap; however, compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

While in some cases nearly identical to condolence, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

The words sympathy and condolence can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy

in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

单词	condolence
释义	condolence noun con·do·lence kən-ˈdō-lən(t)s also ˈkän-də- 1 : sympathy with another in sorrow 2 : an expression of sympathy —usually plural The bereaved family received many condolences. Did you know? Condolence and Condolences When used in the singular, condolence generally refers to sympathetic sorrow, and particularly sorrow with regard to the loss of life. It is used when speaking indirectly of that shared sorrow: After the 1985 Bradford stadium fire, during the Prime Minister's visit of condolence to the city, . . . — William Leith, The Independent (London), 25 Nov. 1990 and often in a modifying position: Still, although I felt for him, I barely knew the guy. Would it be inappropriate to pay a condolence call? Did they want their privacy? — Alan Gelb, The New York Times Magazine, 7 Jan. 1990 Last week, people around the world showed their support for Russia. They held candlelight vigils, sent condolence letters and signed memory books. — Jeremy Caplan, TIME for Kids, 17 Sept. 2004 The plural condolences, on the other hand, is often used specifically for an expression of sympathy, and most often appears in the construction my condolences, which is used to communicate sympathy. While condolences is often used to share sorrow over a death: The prime minister of the day attended Hardy's funeral. . . . King George V and the Prince of Wales telegraphed their condolences. — Terry Eagleton, Harper’s, November 2007 it can also be used of anything perceived of as a misfortune: The odds of getting Apert syndrome are about the same as getting killed by lightning: 1 in 100,000. Indeed, for his family, Nate's birth was a lightning bolt: it came from the blue and was a shock to the system. Instead of getting congratulatory notes, the couple got condolences. Bella English, Boston Globe, 1 Oct. 2000 Within mere hours of Ted Lambros's rejection for tenure at Harvard, communications began to pour in from every important university center of the United States. Some were simply to express condolences. — Erich Segal, The Class, 1985 Condolences is sometimes used humorously, whereas condolence is not: Tell someone you're from Buffalo, and you get the Look: If pity and condescension got it on, this is the baby they'd make. Something in the eyes that offers condolences for everything from playing childhood games in a frozen tundropolis to four straight Super Bowl losses. — Nick Bakay, ESPN, 28 June 1999 Condolences is the more common form of the word, and should be used when expressing your sympathy at someone’s loss. Example Sentences The governor issued a statement of condolence to the victims' families. We wish to express our sincere condolences to your family. Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, King Charles will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall and later begin a tour of the United Kingdom. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Soon, the White Blaze forum and social media were overflowing with messages of condolence, grief, and disbelief. Dan Koeppel, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2019 Ocean Park set up a condolence booth at the panda enclosure, where staff placed white flowers to bid farewell to their fuzzy friend. Karina Tsui, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Sharpie pens are attached to each of them on a string, so members of the community can write messages of condolence and love. Time, 27 May 2022 After more than a dozen children and a teacher were shot and killed at a Texas elementary school, Utah politicians released statements about their heartbreak and offered condolence to the families of the victims of America’s latest mass shooting. Jeff Parrott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Celebrating one's life, this unique condolence gift can also be personalized further. Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 24 May 2022 Everyone from Paul McCartney to First Lady Jill Biden shared words of condolence for Foo Fighters and the drummer’s family — widow Alison and the couple’s three children, Oliver, Annabelle, and Everleigh. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2022 Fans took to social media Saturday to express condolence for the longtime character. Lillian Reed, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology see condole First Known Use 1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1 condolence noun as in sympathy a feeling or expression of care and sadness especially when someone is suffering because of the death of a family member, a friend, etc. The governor issued a statement of condolence to the victims' families. a letter of condolence Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance sympathy regret kindness compassion commiseration generosity pity ruth empathy understanding mercy humaneness humanity feeling kindliness sensitivity affinity goodwill kindheartedness rapport magnanimity softheartedness warmheartedness benevolence altruism humanitarianism charity benignity philanthropy largesse largeheartedness bigheartedness largess Antonyms & Near Antonyms indifference hatred cruelty insensitivity unconcern animosity hostility inhumanity harshness callousness antipathy heartlessness dislike coldheartedness hard-heartedness See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of condolence are commiseration, compassion, pity, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss. expressed their condolences to the widow In some situations, the words commiseration and condolence are roughly equivalent. However, commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort. murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters The meanings of compassion and condolence largely overlap; however, compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare. treats the homeless with great compassion While in some cases nearly identical to condolence, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress. felt pity for the captives The words sympathy and condolence can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort. went to my best friend for sympathy in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents
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condolence

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

noun

Synonym Chooser