commiserate

American  

[kuh-miz-uh-reyt] / kəˈmɪz əˌreɪt /

verb (used without object)

commiserated, commiserating

1. to sympathize (usually followed bywith ).

   They commiserated with him over the loss of his job.

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verb (used with object)

commiserated, commiserating

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

commiserate British  

/ kəˈmɪzəˌreɪt /

verb

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

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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

Etymology

Origin of commiserate

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

Example Sentences

While a dejected England leave for home well beaten and under mounting pressure, Smith told TNT Sports he planned to have "a jar" with counterpart Stokes and commiserate.

From Barron's

“Father Mother Sister Brother” is here to commiserate, but because the veteran indie auteur remains a sharp chronicler of the quotidian, he has no patience for sentimentality or pat resolutions.

From Los Angeles Times

Their goodwill is awkward, as it must be when an in-group member tries to commiserate with “the other,” but it is, nonetheless, sympathy, which is to say concern.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was moved that the replies weren’t just from those commiserating, but rather, people offering helpful solutions to this cyclical malaise.

From Salon

It needs to be said that Green’s approach differs from those articles that regularly appear asking us to commiserate with families earning $400,000 or $500,000 because they can’t make ends meet.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sympathize