rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryinconsolableUnable to be comforted
adjective

inconsolable

in-kun-SOH-luh-bul/ˌɪnkənˈsəʊləbl/

So sad that nothing brings comfort.

The sobbing woman remains inconsolable despite her friend’s comfort.

A young woman sobs intensely while a platonic friend gently comforts her.
Etymology
inLatinnot
+consolLatincomfort
+ableLatincapable of being

The pieces mean 'not capable of being comforted.' The word describes grief through its resistance to relief: consolation does little or nothing to ease the sadness.

In context

Lit Society Podcast22:27
Bert was inconsolable he was on the news
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham | AKA criminals have kids too.

More examples

  • He seemed inconsolable in his grief.
  • Her friends tried to help, but she remained inconsolable.
  • The family described an inconsolable sense of loss.

Forms

inconsolable · more inconsolable · most inconsolable

Similar words

distraught
Distraught means deeply upset; inconsolable emphasizes that comfort does not relieve the sadness.
desolate
Desolate can mean utterly miserable or abandoned; inconsolable specifically concerns inability to be comforted.