definitions

commiserate

[ kuh-miz-uh-reyt ]
/ kəˈmɪz əˌreɪt /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR commiserate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), com·mis·er·at·ed, com·mis·er·at·ing.

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

verb (used without object), com·mis·er·at·ed, com·mis·er·at·ing.

to sympathize (usually followed by with): They commiserated with him over the loss of his job.

RELATED WORDS

poignant, feeble, woeful, heartbreaking, miserable, pitiful, deplorable, sorry, wretched, distressing, heartrending, inadequate, lamentable, meager, melting, moving, paltry, petty, piteous, plaintive

Nearby words

comminute, comminuted, comminuted fracture, comminutor, commis, commiserate, commish, commissaire, commissar, commissariat, commissary

Origin of commiserate

1585–95; < Latin commiserātus (past participle of commiserārī), equivalent to com- com- + miser pitiable (see misery) + -ātus -ate1

Related forms

Can be confused

commensurate commiserate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for commiserable

commiserate

/ (kəˈmɪzəˌreɪt) /

verb

(when intr, usually foll by with) to feel or express sympathy or compassion (for)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for commiserate

C17: from Latin commiserārī, from com- together + miserārī to bewail, pity, from miser wretched
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012