English vocabulary · C1
Commiserate
/kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/ · v.
Commiserate means to feel sad with someone after something bad happens. You stay close and share the hard moment.
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Example sentences
- We commiserated after the loss.
- She called to commiserate with me.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- commiserari — pity (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SYMPATHIZE — feel sorry for someone (Understand The Pain)
- CONSOLE — help someone feel less sad (Give Comfort)
- EMPATHIZE — understand another person's feeling (Feel It With Them)
Similar words
- sympathize
- console
- empathize
Lesson notes
Commiserate means to feel sad with someone after something bad happens. You stay close and share the hard moment.
Related: sympathize, console, empathize. Use commiserate when friends share sadness.
We commiserated after the loss. She called to commiserate with me.
From Latin. Commiserari- means pity. Pity shared after loss is to commiserate.