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inconsolability

inconsolability

1 9.3
Unable to be comforted after a sad loss
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnkənˈsoʊləˌbɪlɪti/
: inconsolabilidad
  • His inconsolability after the breakup made it difficult for him to focus on anything else.

Examples

  • "... no parent can see his or her little child tearing his hair out and crying, crying in his inconsolability, because he is unable to express himself.

    Blog text (25)
  • The news of the tragedy left the community in a state of profound inconsolability.

  • After the loss of her pet, she was engulfed in inconsolability for weeks.

Synonyms

disconsolation
vsinconsolability
1 9.3

A feeling of deep sadness that nothing can comfort

is the same state but phrased as reducing sadness rather than cheering
disconsolateness
vsinconsolability
1 9.9

A deep sadness that nothing can comfort

is similar but does not necessarily imply extreme hopelessness

How Consolable

sadness
228 1.0
grief
410 2.1
inconsolability
1 9.3
despair
187 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

inconsolability = inconsolable (transparent) = in + console + able + ity

The noun is formed regularly from the adjective 'inconsolable' with '-ity' meaning the state or quality of being inconsolable.

Etymology

Inconsolability starts with in- meaning 'not', has console (as in consolation) meaning 'comfort', and the ending -ability showing a state. So, inconsolability literally means the state of 'not being able to be comforted', which is why we use it for deep, lasting sadness.