commiserate
verb
com·mis·er·ate kə-ˈmi-zə-ˌrāt 
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
kə-ˌmi-zə-ˈrā-shən
noun commiserative
kə-ˈmi-zə-ˌrā-tiv
adjective 
Synonyms
- ache (for)
- bleed (for)
- compassionate
- condole (with)
- feel (for)
- pity
- sympathize (with)
- yearn (over)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
"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.
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 Instead of reflecting in leisure, we are constantly tempted to reply to comments, refute opponents, hurl snark, and commiserate with friends. WSJ, 2 May 2022 The unexpected cancellations of both series this past week upset plenty of fans, who took to Twitter to mourn and commiserate. Amber Dowling, Variety, 2 May 2022 Exhibitors were able to visit neighboring booths and commiserate over supply chain issues, discuss industry trends, and talk shop about outdoor recreation in general. Steve Larese, Outside Online, 3 Aug. 2022 The experience of taking the cultural leap from Fox to Disney gave them plenty of chances to commiserate and compare notes on adjusting to the new world order together. Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2022 When the shortage was announced, fans took to social media to commiserate. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 June 2022 In the sweltering heat, few had the bandwidth to commiserate about a conflict half a world away. Raffi Joe Wartanian, Outside Online, 8 Oct. 2020 But in the meantime, fellow Austenites on Twitter have gathered to commiserate. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 June 2022 The video has been viewed more than 2 millions times, with commenters chiming in to commiserate. Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2022 See More
WSJ, 2 May 2022 The unexpected cancellations of both series this past week upset plenty of fans, who took to Twitter to mourn and commiserate. Amber Dowling, Variety, 2 May 2022 Exhibitors were able to visit neighboring booths and commiserate over supply chain issues, discuss industry trends, and talk shop about outdoor recreation in general. Steve Larese, Outside Online, 3 Aug. 2022 The experience of taking the cultural leap from Fox to Disney gave them plenty of chances to commiserate and compare notes on adjusting to the new world order together. Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2022 When the shortage was announced, fans took to social media to commiserate. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 June 2022 In the sweltering heat, few had the bandwidth to commiserate about a conflict half a world away. Raffi Joe Wartanian, Outside Online, 8 Oct. 2020 But in the meantime, fellow Austenites on Twitter have gathered to commiserate. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 June 2022 The video has been viewed more than 2 millions times, with commenters chiming in to commiserate. Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2022 See More 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
commiserates
verb
as in sympathizes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sympathizes
- empathizes
- reassures
- comforts
- assures
- cheers
- condoles
- solaces
- soothes
- uplifts
- consoles
- alleviates
- lifts
- allays
- assuages
- relieves
- elevates
- tranquilizes
- boosts
- calms
- relaxes
- quiets
- buoys (up)
- tranquillizes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- troubles
- distresses
- demoralizes
- discourages
- worries
- torments
- tortures
- aggravates
- upsets
- intensifies
- annoys
- irritates
- irks
- disheartens
- harasses
- worsens
- frets
- pesters