commiserate
kuh-MIZ-uh-rayt
/kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/
to express or feel sympathy or pity for someone experiencing bad luck or sorrow
Usually involves a shared verbal exchange or social gathering where people swap stories of distress to comfort one another.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'commiserari', combining 'com-' (with) and 'miserari' (to pity), built on 'miser' (wretched, miserable). To commiserate is literally to make oneself miserable alongside another person.
Word relationships
- condole: Condole is extremely formal and usually tied to expressing formal sympathy for bereavement.
- sympathize: Sympathize can be a silent internal feeling, whereas commiserate often implies mutual expression or conversation.
- congratulate: Expressing praise and joy for another's good fortune.
- gloat: Dwelling on one's success or another's misfortune with malicious pleasure.
Commonly confused with
- commensurate: Commensurate means proportional or equal in measure; commiserate means sharing sympathy in sorrow.
Word family
- commiseration (noun): sympathy and sorrow felt for the misfortunes of others
- commiserative (adjective): feeling or expressing commiseration
Collocations
- commiserate with
- commiserate over
- gather to commiserate
- commiserate together
Idioms & expressions
- misery loves company
Example sentences
- "After the project funding was cancelled, the team gathered at the café to commiserate over their lost effort." Workplace bonding
- "Opposing players met at the center line to commiserate with the injured captain before he was helped off the field." Sports commentary
Memory hook
COM (together) + MISERATE (miserable). Joining together when feeling miserable to share the load. Sharing misery to lighten the grief.
When not to use
Do not use for celebrating success or good news; commiserate is strictly for sharing disappointment, defeat, or sorrow.
Fun facts
- The noun 'commiseration' often appears in plural form ('commiserations') as a British equivalent to 'better luck next time'.
Related words
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