commiserate (with) 1 of 2

verb

kə-ˈmi-zə-ˌrāt How to pronounce commiserate (with) (audio)
Definition of commiserate (with)next
as in to pity
to have sympathy for we commiserated with him but there was little we could do to make the situation better

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

commiseration

2 of 2

noun

1
as in sympathy
sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune letters of commiseration sent to the hospitalized student

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kindness
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune a heartless businessman with no commiseration for the less fortunate

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun commiseration contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of commiseration are compassion, condolence, pity, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

In what contexts can compassion take the place of commiseration?

The words compassion and commiseration can be used in similar contexts, but compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When is condolence a more appropriate choice than commiseration?

While the synonyms condolence and commiseration are close in meaning, condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

When is it sensible to use pity instead of commiseration?

While in some cases nearly identical to commiseration, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When could sympathy be used to replace commiseration?

The words sympathy and commiseration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy
in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commiserate (with)
  1. pity
  2. sympathy
  3. kindness
  4. compassion
Verb
  • This is not a tale that asks you to pity the monster.
    — Daphne Woolsoncroft, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • This turtle is not to be mocked, and not to be pitied either.
    — A.O. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Definition of pity
Noun
  • This compared to 28 percent who had sympathy for the royals and 68 percent who had either not very much or none.
    — Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • Finally, Trump Seems to Get Putin Then came this week’s weapons deal along with more sympathy for Ukraine and more praise for NATO and its leader.
    — Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
Definition of sympathy
Noun
  • But his message will resound of kindness and creativity.
    — Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him.
    — Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • Among those lessons is that working with young people — and earning their trust — requires patience and compassion.
    — Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
  • Above all, excellence is an ethic—a commitment to integrity, mastery and compassion.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of compassion
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

commiserates (with)
commiserate (with)
commiserating
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Cite this Entry

“Commiserate (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commiserate%20%28with%29. Accessed 28 Jul. 2025.

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