Definition

1. Verb:
   • To express sympathy or sorrow, especially on the occasion of someone's death: "Condole" means to offer condolences or express shared grief with someone who has suffered a loss, typically a bereavement.

Usage

• The verb "condole" is almost always used intransitively with the preposition "with" (e.g., ). It can also be followed by "on" or "upon" to specify the reason for the sympathy (e.g., ).
• It is a formal word, most appropriate for written condolences or formal speech.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Many friends came to condole with the family after the funeral.
  • She wrote a letter to condole with him upon the death of his father.

Advanced Usage

• "To condole with": The standard construction for expressing sympathy to someone.
  • The president issued a statement to condole with the nation after the tragedy.
• Rare/Archaic Transitive Use: In very formal or archaic contexts, "condole" can be used transitively to mean "to grieve or mourn (a loss)." This usage is now uncommon.
  • They condoled the tragic event. (Archaic)

Variants and Related Words

• Condolence (n): An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
  • Please accept my deepest condolences.
• Condolatory (adj): Expressing condolence.
  • He sent a condolatory message.

Synonyms

• Commiserate: To express sympathy or pity; often used for shared distress beyond bereavement.
• Sympathize: To feel or express compassion.

Antonyms

• Congratulate: To express pleasure for someone's good fortune.
• Celebrate: To observe an event with festivities.

Related Phrases

• To offer one's condolences: The more common modern phrase for expressing sympathy for a death.
  • I would like to offer my condolences to your entire family.

Verb

1. express one's sympathetic grief, on the occasion of someone's death
   • You must condole the widow