# commiserate

/kəˈmɪsɝˌeɪt/ (US) · /kəmˈɪsəɹˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/commiserate
Updated: 2026-10-08

## Definition

to express sympathy or sadness for someone who has experienced something bad. You do this to show you understand their pain or disappointment.

For teachers: to express or feel sympathy or pity for another's misfortune. Often implies a shared experience of failure or hardship.

## Examples

- We gathered to commiserate after our team lost the final.
- After the layoffs were announced, the remaining staff met at a local pub to commiserate over the loss of their colleagues.
- While the winners celebrated their victory in the main hall, the defeated candidates retreated to a private room to commiserate with one another and discuss their future plans.

## Synonyms

sympathize

## Pitfalls

- Not "I commiserated him on his loss" but "I commiserated with him on his loss" — Commiserate is intransitive and requires 'with' to connect to the person receiving the sympathy.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive verb; typically takes the preposition 'with'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.