commiserate

verb

com·​mis·​er·​ate kə-ˈmi-zə-ˌrāt How to pronounce commiserate (audio)
commiserated; commiserating

intransitive verb

: to feel or express sympathy : condole
commiserates with them on their loss

transitive verb

: to feel or express sorrow or compassion for
commiseratingly adverb
commiseration noun
commiserative adjective

Examples of commiserate in a Sentence

"Did you enjoy your breakfast?" "The eggs were runny." "I know." The woman commiserated. "I was thinking, I should just have barged into the kitchen and done them myself." Alice Munro, Runaway, (2004) 2005
The other potters seemed to slump as one into dejection, all but abandoning their work in favor of long, lugubrious visits to the wine shop, where they commiserated with one another. Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard, (2001) 2003
"I been readin' about it," she said, referring to the recent breakup of my marriage.  … "It's too bad," she commiserated. Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987
The pain of losing is diverting. So is the thrill of winning. Winning, however, is lonelier, because those you've taken money from are not apt to commiserate with you. David Mamet, New York Times Magazine, 20 Apr. 1986
The players commiserated over their loss in the championship game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brides are commiserating on social media, reassessing their wedding finances and trying to think outside the box. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 29 June 2025 As the potentials go off with Buffy for training, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) takes Dawn aside to commiserate over their lack of specialness: neither has powers, neither has incredible strength. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025 When a video emerged of him sobbing in his locker room stall after coming agonizingly close to winning the title a year ago, his entire native nation commiserated with his pain. David Close, CNN Money, 17 June 2025 Meantime Marty and his ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan), on good terms, commiserate by phone about the latest roster of calamities. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commiserate

Word History

Etymology

Latin commiseratus, past participle of commiserari, from com- + miserari to pity, from miser wretched

First Known Use

circa 1584, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of commiserate was circa 1584

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Cite this Entry

“Commiserate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commiserate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

commiserate

verb
com·​mis·​er·​ate kə-ˈmiz-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce commiserate (audio)
commiserated; commiserating
: to feel or express sorrow or sympathy : sympathize
commiseration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on commiserate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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