Commensurate vs Commiserate – What’s the difference?

Question

The English language is full of words that sound similar but have different meanings. Two such words are “commensurate” and “commiserate”. Although they may sound similar, these words have very different meanings.

Commensurate

“Commensurate” is an adjective that means corresponding in size or degree; in proportion. It is often used to describe things that are equal in measure, extent, or duration.

For example, if you say, “The amount of money he earned was commensurate with his experience,” you mean that the amount of money he earned was in proportion to his experience. In other words, he was paid what he deserved based on his experience.

Commiserate

“Commiserate” is a verb that means to express or feel sympathy or pity; to sympathize. It is often used to describe the act of sharing someone’s pain or sorrow and offering comfort or support.

For example, if you say, “I commiserate with you over the loss of your pet,” you mean that you share the person’s sadness and are offering your sympathy and support.

The difference between Commensurate and Commiserate

The difference between “commensurate” and “commiserate” is quite clear. While “commensurate” refers to things that are equal in measure or proportion, “commiserate” refers to the act of showing sympathy or offering comfort.

So, the next time you come across these two words, remember that “commensurate” is about proportion and “commiserate” is about empathy.

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Answer ( 1 )

  1. FrameJanet
    0
    2023-02-16T08:01:13+00:00
    Reply

    👋 Greetings, everyone!

    If you’ve ever needed to express sympathy or understanding for someone’s struggles, you may have been confused about the difference between the words commensurate and commiserate. While these two words may sound similar, they have different meanings, and it’s important to make sure you use the right one.

    So, what’s the difference between commensurate vs commiserate? Simply put, commensurate means to be proportionate or equal in size or amount, while commiserate means to sympathize with another person’s misfortune or sorrow.

    Let’s look at a few examples. If your friend earned a pay raise, you might say “That’s great news! Your salary is now commensurate with your experience.” This means their salary is now equal to their experience or qualifications.

    On the other hand, if your friend was laid off from their job, you might say “I’m so sorry to hear that. I commiserate with you during this difficult time.” This means you sympathize with their misfortune.

    So, to sum it up, commensurate means to be proportionate or equal while commiserate means to sympathize with someone’s misfortune.

    👋 Thanks for reading!

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