commiserate

[ kuh-miz-uh-reyt ]
/ kəˈmɪz əˌreɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR commiserate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), com·mis·er·at·ed, com·mis·er·at·ing.

to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity.

verb (used without object), com·mis·er·at·ed, com·mis·er·at·ing.

to sympathize (usually followed by with): They commiserated with him over the loss of his job.

Origin of commiserate

1585–95; < Latin commiserātus (past participle of commiserārī), equivalent to com- com- + miser pitiable (see misery) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM commiserate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH commiserate

commensurate commiserate

Words nearby commiserate

comminute, comminuted, comminuted fracture, comminutor, commis, commiserate, commish, commissaire, commissar, commissariat, commissary

Words related to commiserative

compassionate, condolatory, empathetic, empathic, sympathetic

Example sentences from the Web for commiserative

  • Eugene Bantry, flying expertly by with Mamie, was bestowing upon Mr. Flitcroft a commiserative wink.

    The Literary World Seventh Reader |Various

  • That was why I murmured in a commiserative tone, "Luther's niece—poor girl!"

    The Soldier of the Valley |Nelson Lloyd

  • The clearest listener he could find, and the least commiserative, happily.

    Adventures in the Arts |Marsden Hartley

  • Mr. Henry Slater received Cordelia with a smile that was both conciliating and commiserative.

    The Silver Poppy |Arthur Stringer

British Dictionary definitions for commiserative

commiserate
/ (kəˈmɪzəˌreɪt) /

verb

(when intr, usually foll by with) to feel or express sympathy or compassion (for)

Derived forms of commiserate

Word Origin for commiserate

C17: from Latin commiserārī, from com- together + miserārī to bewail, pity, from miser wretched