commiserate

[kuh-miz-uh-reyt]

verb (used without object)

commiserated, commiserating 

1. to sympathize (usually followed bywith ).

   They commiserated with him over the loss of his job.

verb (used with object)

commiserated, commiserating 

1. to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity.

commiserate

/ kəˈmɪzəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to feel or express sympathy or compassion (for)

Other Word Forms

• commiserable adjective
• commiseration noun
• commiserative adjective
• commiseratively adverb
• commiserator noun
• noncommiserative adjective
• noncommiseratively adverb
• uncommiserated adjective
• uncommiserating adjective
• uncommiserative adjective
• uncommiseratively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of commiserate¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin commiserātus (past participle of commiserārī ), equivalent to com- com- + miser “pitiable” ( misery ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of commiserate¹

C17: from Latin commiserārī, from com- together + miserārī to bewail, pity, from miser wretched

Example Sentences

Rebecca Block said her mother would even commiserate with frustrated customers, saying: They don’t buy all my clothes, either.

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Routinely dispatched to this unassuming street in Marion County, Fla., the officers are invariably charmed by the tight-knit families they find, joking with the kids, commiserating easily with the parents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with families of the deceased victims.

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At the end of a fractious series, India broke off from the delirious celebrations to commiserate with Woakes, then embarked on a lap of honour, soaking up a historic win with their jubilant fans.

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If not, they’ll have new friends to commiserate with as they shift practices elsewhere on campus.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sympathize