verb
commiserate
kuh-MIZ-uh-rayt/kəˈmɪzəreɪt/
To express sympathy for someone's trouble or sorrow.
The woman commiserates with the injured man, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Etymology
With com- perhaps adding emphasis, Latin miserari ('lament') formed a verb meaning 'pity' or 'bewail.' The English sense focuses that sorrow on another person's misfortune, expressed as sympathy.
In context
>> That is quite unfortunate. >> At least you uh can commiserate with us with how cold it is.
More examples
- We commiserated over our canceled vacations.
- She commiserates with her neighbor, whose dog recently died.
- Thanks for commiserating with me about my terrible week.
Forms
commiserate · commiserates · commiserated · commiserating
commiseration noun — Expression of sympathy for someone's troubles.
Similar words
- sympathize
- Can mean feeling sympathy without expressing it to someone.
- console
- Focuses on easing someone's sadness rather than sharing it.