commiserate

[ kuh-miz-uh-reyt ]

See synonyms for: commiserate commiserating commiserable commiseration on Thesaurus.com

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.

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.

Origin of commiserate

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin commiserātus (past participle of commiserārī ), equivalent to com- com- + miser “pitiable” (see misery) + -ātus -ate¹

Other words from commiserate

com·mis·er·a·ble, adjective
com·mis·er·a·tion [kuh-miz-uh-rey-shuhn], /kəˌmɪz əˈreɪ ʃən/, noun
com·mis·er·a·tive, adjective
com·mis·er·a·tive·ly, adverb
com·mis·er·a·tor, noun
non·com·mis·er·a·tive, adjective
non·com·mis·er·a·tive·ly, adverb
un·com·mis·er·at·ed, adjective
un·com·mis·er·at·ing, adjective
un·com·mis·er·a·tive, adjective
un·com·mis·er·a·tive·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with commiserate

commensurate, commiserate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use commiserate in a sentence

In recent days, Shuler has been commiserating with defeated moderates who have applauded his race.
The Rebel Democrat Gunning for Pelosi | Lloyd Grove | November 16, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
There was something actually touching in the commiserating look the attach gave Tony as he turned away and left the room.
Tony Butler | Charles James Lever
"Oh," whimpered Angela, changing her tone at once from helpless accusing rage to pleading, self-commiserating misery.
The "Genius" | Theodore Dreiser
"Well, well, my honest lad," responded the commiserating and now satisfied officer; don't mind it—nobody wants to harm you.
The Rangers | D. P. Thompson
And casting a commiserating glance at Viviana, she closed the door.
Guy Fawkes | William Harrison Ainsworth

"I was sorry to hear of your disappointment," added she, in a commiserating tone.
The Actress in High Life | Sue Petigru Bowen

British Dictionary definitions for commiserate

commiserate

/ (kəˈmɪzəˌreɪt) /

verb

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

Origin of commiserate

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

Derived forms of commiserate

commiserable, adjective
commiseration, noun
commiserative, adjective
commiseratively, adverb
commiserator, noun

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

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