condolence
noun
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. 1990Last 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. 2000Within 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
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
see condole
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1
condolence
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- 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.
In some situations, the words commiseration and condolence are roughly equivalent. However, commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.
The meanings of compassion and condolence largely overlap; however, compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.
While in some cases nearly identical to condolence, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.
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.