commiseration

American  

[kuh-miz-uh-rey-shuhn] / kəˌmɪz əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• noncommiseration noun

Etymology

Origin of commiseration

First recorded in 1570–80; commiserat(e) ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

The police also tweeted, “Nail-biting night, commiserations #England.”

From Washington Post

This also gives Reagan a point of commiseration with her buddy Nathan, whose family has moved on and away from town while he stubbornly refuses to let go.

From Salon

“How are you?” is as much commiseration as greeting.

From Washington Post

You may not get solutions, but you’ll likely feel better after venting and getting some commiseration.

From Seattle Times

Here’s hoping this mutual commiseration serves as at least a brief diversion from all the rest of it — and a testament to ways we’re all now connected, even while largely kept apart.

From Seattle Times