com·mis·er·ate
kə-ˈmi-zə-ˌrāt 
commiserated; commiserating
: to feel or express sorrow or compassion for
commiseratingly
adverb
com·mis·er·a·tion
kə-ˌmi-zə-ˈrā-shən
plural -s
: the act of commiserating : the feeling or showing of sorrow or the expression of condolence for the wants or distresses of another
an adult who falls on the street is the object of … commiseration—
Agnes Repplier
Agnes RepplierExamples of commiserate in a Sentence
Verb
"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
Dan Robson, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Devastated by the cancellations, many gathered in central Vienna to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate about the cancelations.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Devastated by the cancellations, many gathered in central Vienna to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate.
—Philipp Jenne, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Caro and Sonia both cautiously bond over their connection to the property and the surrounding land, and commiserate on the historical forces that have placed them in opposition.
—David Katz, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commiserate
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Verb
After the New Jersey Devils lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993 playoffs, the team went out for drinks to commiserate.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Devastated by the cancellations, many gathered in central Vienna to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate about the cancelations.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Devastated by the cancellations, many gathered in central Vienna to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate.
—Philipp Jenne, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Caro and Sonia both cautiously bond over their connection to the property and the surrounding land, and commiserate on the historical forces that have placed them in opposition.
—David Katz, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commiserate
Cite this Entry
“Commiserate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commiserate. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commiserate
verb
com·mis·er·ate
kə-ˈmiz-ə-ˌrāt
commiserated; commiserating
: to feel or express sorrow or sympathy : sympathize
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