commiseration
/kə,mizə'reiʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- an expression of sympathy with another's grief
- they sent their condolences
- a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
- the blind are too often objects of pity