condolatory

condolatory

The manager wrote a condolatory note to the employee who lost a family member.

Definition

Adjective: Expressing or conveying sympathy, especially in response to another person's loss, grief, or misfortune. The word "condolatory" describes words, gestures, or actions intended to offer comfort or sorrow-sharing.

Usage Examples
  • (The letter expressed sympathy for the loss.)
  • (His words of sympathy were heartfelt.)
  • (The visit was meant to offer official sympathy.)
Advanced Usage
  • "condolatory tone": A manner of speaking or writing that conveys sympathy.

    • The speech had a deeply condolatory tone, acknowledging the community's grief. (The tone was sympathetic and mournful.)
  • "condolatory gesture": An action, such as sending flowers or attending a memorial, that expresses sympathy.

    • Sending a card is a common condolatory gesture. (It is a typical way to show sympathy.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Condolence (noun): An expression of sympathy, especially for someone's loss.

    • Please accept my sincere condolences on your father's passing. (Sympathy offered for the loss.)
  • Condole (verb): To express sympathy or sorrow.

    • I called to condole with her after the accident. (I called to offer sympathy.)
  • Condolatory (adjective): The direct form, as defined above.

Synonyms
  • Sympathetic: Showing compassion or understanding for someone's suffering.
  • Compassionate: Feeling or showing pity and concern for others' misfortunes.
  • Mournful: Expressing sadness or grief, often in a formal context.
Related Idioms
  • "Offer one's condolences": A common phrase meaning to express sympathy.

    • We offered our condolences to the widow. (We expressed our sympathy.)
  • "Words of comfort": Phrases used to console someone in grief.

    • His condolatory words were words of comfort for the family. (His sympathetic words provided consolation.)