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

People are waiting to help, commune and commiserate, but not enough of them are asking for what they need.

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But the episode really culminates in a tender scene between Julie and Emily, where they commiserate over their different forms of grief.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Explaining why he wanted to meet Dame Penny, the former elected member of East Hampshire District Council said he wanted to commiserate with her over her leadership bid.

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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

Related Words

• sympathize