counseling 1 of 3

noun

variants or counselling
Definition of counselingnext
as in reassurance

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counseling

2 of 3

adjective

variants or counselling
as in consulting

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counseling

3 of 3

verb

variants or counselling
present participle of counsel
1
as in conferring
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community

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2
as in guiding
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college

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3
as in advising
to give advice to perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you

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4
as in suggesting
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I would counsel caution and deliberation in this sensitive matter

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counseling
Noun
Proceeds support mental health initiatives and licensed therapeutic counseling services in Los Gatos schools, which received $40,000 in 2025. — Debby Rice, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 The request also includes crisis counseling, disaster care management, disaster unemployment assistance, and disaster legal services. — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
Veteran stars Derwin James and Khalil Mack, both versed in big paydays, are counseling Tuipulotu as teammates await his full return to practice. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Leaning into her career training, Gounder recently wrote her own article for Sports Illustrated, counseling the public to be mindful of the health risks inherent in large gatherings. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counseling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counseling
  1. reassurance
  2. consulting
  3. guiding
  4. advising
  5. suggesting
  6. consolation
  7. advisory
  8. coaching
Noun
  • That could provide some reassurance that young people engaging in innocent or small-group activities wouldn’t get swept up in enforcement.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Porges said Kapoor deliberately built trust with him by extending social invitations and repeatedly offering reassurances.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of reassurance
Adjective
  • McKinsey could also slash as many as 2,000 non-consulting staff in one of its biggest round of layoffs ever, Bloomberg reported last month, citing unnamed sources close to the matter.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN, 23 Mar. 2023
  • The report also found McKinsey officials used their contract with the government to drum up even more consulting work with private companies.
    — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2022
Definition of consulting
Verb
  • However, the company is now guiding to full-year constant-currency revenue growth of 11%, down from a previous range of 10% to 11%.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • That spirit is the guiding force of the Together, Together Tour, which Styles acknowledged with praise for his loving fans.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of guiding
Verb
  • Lacking credibility While the grand jury found Hay’s testimony transparent and credible, the testimony of Jeff Aaron, the lawyer advising the Hope Florida Foundation’s board, was not, according to the report.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Pitchers are disguising their four-seamers up with more cutters in than ever before, so just advising him to be more aggressive in the zone is not good enough.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of advising
Verb
  • Several of Chisholm’s teammates were aghast at Flemming also suggesting Red Sox reliever Jovani Morán should throw at Austin Wells in the batter’s box as retaliation.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Davidson teases that Lawrence will make recurring cameos on the series, suggesting that the tables have now turned between the rivals, as the series is set in the present day and accounts for Lawrence’s own star power.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of suggesting
Noun
  • Perhaps chalking the loss up to an off-shooting night serves as a consolation for the Liberty in a matchup where everything else went wrong.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Only one thing gave Ruiz the kind of consolation that was truly the obverse of his physical pains, and that was the sacred figure of the Virgin Mary.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of consolation
Adjective
  • Deloitte itself is moving onward in this sector with its Silent Shield cyber intrusion detection system, so the advisory firm already has a stake in the success of space.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But on Thursday, the mayor announced the creation of a business advisory council, which includes over 10 CEO's from various industries.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of advisory
Verb
  • Perhaps his greatest legacy at UCF is Dean was coaching in 1991 when UCF finally moved out of its tiny dank gymnasium and into its first legitimate basketball arena — a sparkling, by UCF standards, 5,100-seat facility.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Seahawks job was coaching running backs, Hammock’s specialty, and included a senior offensive assistant title.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of coaching

Browse Nearby Words

counselee
counseling
counselor
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Cite this Entry

“Counseling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counseling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on counseling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about counseling

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