commiseration
Americannoun
-
the act of empathizing, or expressing sympathy or sorrow for someone about something.
Taking the seat next to him, she put her arm around his shoulders in silent commiseration.
-
commiserations, an expression of sympathy or sorrow for someone.
All my thanks and commiserations to the dedicated staff, many of whom I expect will lose their jobs in the cutbacks.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of commiseration
First recorded in 1570–80; commiserat(e) ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )
Explanation
Commiseration refers to feelings of sympathy for other people. If a friend's pet dies, you will probably want to express your commiseration. If you are feeling commiseration for someone, they are probably going through difficult times. We feel commiseration when others suffer or feel pain and we understand that pain. We commiserate with them. The Latin root com- means "together with." Just as communication and community are words involving getting people together, commiseration is about feeling other people's pain.
Vocabulary lists containing commiseration
The Merchant of Venice
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The Chocolate War
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American Gods
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Talking about it with other people strikes up genuine conversation and commiseration.
From Salon ● May 22, 2025
But commiseration and understanding aren’t enough, and real psychological help isn’t something to be found in a subreddit.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2024
Even among more put-together attendees, private Slack channels were reportedly awash in commiseration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2023
Thus the play’s enduring function as a source of solace, affirmation and commiseration.
From New York Times ● Apr. 20, 2022
“Fine, Brother, fine. In fact, I thought ... I mean, I was aiming for high honors this term. But now, this F ...” “I know,” the teacher said, shaking his head sorrowfully, in commiseration.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
