commiseration

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "commiseration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "commiseration" when someone is expressing sympathy to another person. Example: She offered me her commiseration after hearing about the death of my grandmother.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Good and bad behaviour Girl power plays ReprintsMore profound similarities might be deemed matters of mutual commiseration.

The Economist

Now, because Mangosuthu Buthelezi's Inkatha will, after all, take part in the poll the fear of a bloody birth for South African democracy is receding.Celebration is in order, along with commiseration also many years of suffering and deprivation.

The Economist

According to Mencius, the sprout (duan; also meaning "beginning") of ren is a spontaneous feeling of compassion and commiseration within the human heart-and-mind (xin), the locus of both cognitive and affective functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nevertheless, Sidney wrote eloquently of "high and excellent tragedy, that…with stirring the affects of admiration and commiseration teacheth the uncertainty of this world and upon how weak foundations gilden roofs are builded".

Encyclopedia Britannica

That the four beginnings (siduan)—the feeling of commiseration, the feeling of shame, the feeling of courtesy, and the feeling of right and wrong are all inborn in man was a self-evident truth to Mencius; and the "four beginnings," when properly cultivated, will develop into the four cardinal virtues of ren, righteousness (yi), decorum (li), and wisdom (zhi).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In order that the sprout of compassion and commiseration develop into ren and the tendency toward morality be brought to fruition, one must act with benevolence toward others and extend that benevolence toward all of humanity when possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since the word admiration here means awe, Sidney's "admiration and commiseration" are similar to Aristotle's "pity and fear".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The disasters attending the return over the barren grounds, on the premature approach of winter, have been told by Franklin himself in a narrative which excited universal interest and commiseration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I would also like to reiterate to our honourable PM that the "bunch of migrants" he was referring to in Calais are made up of many unaccompanied children, many close in age to the young Aylan Kurdi, whose lifeless body washed up on the shore of the Aegean prompted Cameron to voice his commiseration and claim he was "deeply moved".

Independent

Evidently the first stabs of bereavement have been somewhat allayed by so many hectic distractions – from absorbing a flood of communal commiseration, to the simple practicalities of keeping the show on the road as Cecil had urged.

Independent

Tickets of commiseration are issued here to heartbroken supporters of the Mets, Cubs, Cardinals, Red Sox, Rockies, Dodgers, Twins, etc., who failed to make it into or safely out of the October tournaments.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commiseration" to express a deeper, more profound sense of shared suffering rather than a fleeting moment of pity. It is best employed when acknowledging a prolonged or significant hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "commiseration" in contexts where it might imply superiority or condescension. Ensure your tone conveys genuine empathy and understanding, rather than a patronizing acknowledgement of someone's difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commiseration" is as a noun. It represents the act of expressing sympathy or sorrow for someone else's suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commiseration" is a noun that denotes the act of expressing sympathy or sorrow, often in response to someone's misfortune. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. While synonyms like "sympathy" and "compassion" exist, "commiseration" suggests a deeper, more profound understanding of shared suffering. When using this term, ensure your tone is empathetic and avoid any hint of condescension to effectively convey genuine support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sympathy

Focuses on feeling or expressing compassion for someone's suffering.

compassion

Emphasizes a deep awareness of and desire to alleviate another's suffering.

condolences

A formal expression of sympathy, especially after a death.

pity

Implies a feeling of sorrow and possibly condescension towards someone's misfortune.

consolation

Focuses on providing comfort or solace to someone who is grieving.

solace

Suggests a source of comfort or relief from distress.

expressions of sorrow

A broader phrase encompassing various ways of showing sadness for another's plight.

shared grief

Highlights the mutual experience of sadness or loss.

fellow feeling

Emphasizes a sense of shared emotion or experience.

understanding

Focuses on comprehending and acknowledging someone's difficult situation.

FAQs

How do you use "commiseration" in a sentence?

You can use "commiseration" to describe the act of expressing or feeling sympathy. For example, "I offered my commiseration after hearing about their loss" or "They sought commiseration from friends after the devastating news".

What's the difference between sympathy and "commiseration"?

While both involve understanding another's suffering, "commiseration" implies a deeper level of shared feeling. "Sympathy" is a general feeling of pity, whereas commiseration suggests you can relate to the hardship on a more personal level.

What are some synonyms for "commiseration"?

Alternatives to "commiseration" include "sympathy", "compassion", "pity", and "condolences". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "commiseration" a formal or informal word?

"Commiseration" is generally considered a neutral to formal term. It's appropriate for both written and spoken communication, especially when expressing heartfelt sympathy or shared sorrow. You might choose a more informal term like "sympathy" in casual conversation.