commiserate

USAGE SUMMARY

"commiserate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to express sympathy or sorrow to someone in a time of need. For example: "John commiserated with his friend, who had just lost his job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using the hashtag #getagrip, it tweeted: "here to motivate, not commiserate".

The Guardian

Judd wouldn't be drawn on the manner of Malthouse's departure from Carlton, saying AFL fans should celebrate his storied career, not commiserate its end.

The Guardian - Sport

I'll be taking you through the day as votes for both houses continue to be counted, winners and losers celebrate or commiserate, and Australians react to the change of government.

The Guardian

At some point my wife signed up to Mumsnet to commiserate with my detractors.

The Guardian - Tech

It's an ingenious argument and one put well by Neil Cotton in When Saturday Comes: "The pub provides a focal point for a football club; it is place to recruit players, to meet before a game and somewhere to visit after, to celebrate or commiserate, to analyse the game or to sip a pint while watching the big match on TV.

The Guardian - Sport

The early retention rate is similar for TfA itself.Some countries add weekend gatherings and seminars for participants to swap ideas and commiserate.

The Economist

America's defence secretary was the last foreigner to see Sheikh Issa alive and the first to commiserate with Sheikh Hamad.

The Economist

"If college kids wanted to commiserate with someone over the fear and misery of life under Bush, all they had to do was walk across the hall," notes Mr Bai.

The Economist

Condoleezza Rice, America's secretary of state, Sonia Gandhi, the leader of India's ruling Congress party, and many other world leaders called to commiserate with her.

The Economist

He certainly takes pains to meet and commiserate with protesters of all stripes.

The Economist

THE last man the playwright had expected to hear on his telephone was Mahinda Rajapaksa, the president, calling to commiserate with him over the banning of his latest script.During a genial, 15-minute conversation, Mr Rajapaksa said he was piqued with the government's Public Performances Board (PPB) for blocking the political play.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commiserate" when you want to express genuine sympathy and understanding for someone's misfortune. Ensure your tone is sincere and appropriate for the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "commiserate" sarcastically or lightly. It implies a sharing of deep sorrow, so using it inappropriately can come across as insensitive or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commiserate" is as a verb. It describes the action of expressing or feeling sympathy and sorrow for someone else's suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and correct usage. Ludwig provides examples of the word in diverse contexts, such as expressing sympathy after a loss.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commiserate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that means to express sympathy or sorrow, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's most common in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "commiserate", it's important to be sincere and understand the depth of feeling it implies, avoiding sarcastic or lighthearted use. Alternatives include "sympathize with" and ""offer condolences"". Be sure to use "commiserate with" rather than "commiserate for". The high source quality and expert rating underscores its reliable and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sympathize with

A general term for understanding and sharing someone's feelings.

express sympathy

Focuses on the act of showing compassion.

share sorrow

Highlights the mutual feeling of sadness.

feel compassion

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of understanding suffering.

offer condolences

More formal expression of sympathy, typically for a loss.

console

Implies actively trying to alleviate someone's distress.

show understanding

Highlights the cognitive aspect of grasping someone's difficult situation.

express concern

Highlights the worry and care for someone's well-being.

offer support

Focuses on providing help and encouragement during hardship.

offer solace

Suggests providing comfort and peace in a time of grief.

FAQs

How to use "commiserate" in a sentence?

"Commiserate" means to express or feel sympathy. For instance, "I called to "offer condolences" and commiserate with her after her loss."

What can I say instead of "commiserate"?

You can use alternatives like "sympathize with", ""offer condolences"", or "express sympathy" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "commiserate with" or "commiserate for"?

"Commiserate with" is the correct usage. You commiserate with someone about a shared misfortune, not for them.

What's the difference between "sympathize" and "commiserate"?

"Sympathize" is a broader term meaning to understand and share the feelings of another. "Commiserate" implies a deeper sharing of sorrow or distress; it means to actively "share sorrow" with someone.