What does commiserate mean?
Word: Commiserate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Commiserate means to tell someone you feel sorry about their bad luck.
Synonyms: console, comfort
How do you spell commiserate?
Syllables: com - mis - er - ate
Tricky part: Only one m is clearly heard, so pupils write comiserate. There are two m letters at the start.
Watch out for: comiserate, commiserrate, comiserrate
Memory tip: Two m letters, like two mates sitting side by side after a bad day.
Commiserate in a sentence
Example 1: Ananya stayed behind to commiserate with her friend, who had missed the bus to the final.
Example 2: The neighbours came round to commiserate when our holiday was called off.
Example 3: Dad likes to commiserate with his fellow fans whenever their team loses.
Fun Fact
Commiserations is what British people say to someone who has just lost a contest. It is the opposite of congratulations.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
comm_s_rate
a) i, e
b) e, a
c) i, a
d) e, e
Show answer
a) i, e. The vowels are i after the mm and e before the rate.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
When the rain washed out the last match of the tournament, the umpires and spectators stayed on to commisserate with the disappointed young players from the visiting school.
a) spectators
b) tournament
c) commisserate
d) umpires
Show answer
c) commisserate. The s in this word stands alone.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The principal stopped by to mmscetoeria with the pupils whose science model had broken.
a) commemorate
b) compensate
c) communicate
d) commiserate
Show answer
d) commiserate. Commemorate would need a third m, and the other two a letter this jumble lacks.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word commiserate as used in the sentence:
After the final whistle, the winners walked over to commiserate with the losing side.
a) quarrel
b) bargain
c) rejoice
d) sympathise
Show answer
d) sympathise. To sympathise with someone is to share their sorrow, which is what the winners did.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which remark would you use to commiserate with a friend?
a) Hard luck, you played really well.
b) Well done, you deserved that prize.
c) I told you that you would lose.
d) Can you lend me your new bat?
Show answer
a) Hard luck, you played really well.
2. Two friends commiserate over a cancelled trip. What mood are they most likely in?
a) disappointed
b) delighted
c) impatient
d) suspicious
Show answer
a) disappointed
