Definition

1. Noun:
   • An expression of sympathy with another's grief: "Commiseration" refers to the act of expressing sympathy or sorrow for someone else's misfortune or suffering.
   • A feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others: It also denotes the feeling of pity, compassion, or sorrow one feels when witnessing another person's hardship or distress.

Usage

• Commiseration is typically used in formal or serious contexts to describe both the feeling of sympathy and the act of expressing it. It often implies a shared sense of sorrow or a desire to offer comfort.
• It is commonly followed by prepositions like "for" (to indicate the object of sympathy) or "with" (to indicate sharing feelings with someone).

Examples

• As a noun:
  • She wrote a letter of commiseration to the family after their loss.
  • There was a general air of commiseration in the office when the project failed.
  • He offered his commiseration for our difficulties.

Advanced Usage

• "To be an object of commiseration": To be someone whom others pity or feel sorry for.
  • After the accident, he became an object of commiseration among his friends.
• "In commiseration with": Sharing in the feeling of sorrow or sympathy.
  • She nodded in commiseration with her colleague's frustration.

Variants and Related Words

• Commiserate (verb): To express or feel sympathy or pity; to sympathize.
  • We commiserated with them over their bad luck.
• Commiserative (adjective): Expressing or showing commiseration.
  • She gave him a commiserative smile.

Synonyms

• Condolence: An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
• Sympathy: Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
• Compassion: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
• Pity: The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.

Antonyms

• Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
• Heartlessness: Cruelty and lack of pity or compassion.

Related Phrases

• Offer one's commiseration: To express one's sympathy formally.
  • Many people came to offer their commiseration.
• A gesture of commiseration: A physical action (like a pat on the back) that expresses sympathy.
  • His hand on her shoulder was a simple gesture of commiseration.

Noun

1. an expression of sympathy with another's grief
   • they sent their condolences
2. a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
   • the blind are too often objects of pity