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

Lu and her sister recently commiserated about the drama.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brandt, a former elected member of East Hampshire District Council, claimed he wanted to commiserate with her over her failed leadership bid.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• sympathize