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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

commiserate

Verb

IPA /kəˈmɪzəreɪt/

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UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

To express sympathy to someone after a disappointment or difficulty.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

commiserate/kəˈmɪzəreɪt/

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  1. A friend misses an opportunity

  2. You show sympathy for the disappointment

To commiserate with someone is to share sympathy for their bad luck or disappointment.

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Examples in context

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  1. We commiserated with our friends after their team lost the final.
  2. Her classmates commiserated with her over the rejected application.

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To express sympathy to someone after a disappointment or difficulty.
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commiserate — To express sympathy to someone after a disappointment or difficulty.

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To express sympathy to someone after a disappointment or difficulty.

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Word origin

From Latin commiserari, combining com-, with, and miserari, to lament.

Did you know?

Commiserate with someone is the main pattern; on or over can introduce the disappointment.

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commiserate

/kəˈmɪzəreɪt/ (Verb)

“Say commiserate with a friend, not commiserate a friend. It means share sympathy, not celebrate.”

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