Condole

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kənˈdəʊl/

Definitions

1. To offer words of sympathy to someone suffering a loss or misfortune
2. To express sorrow and support to a person who has experienced grief or hardship
3. To convey condolences to someone facing sadness or difficulty in their life

Etymology: Latin "doleo" meant to suffer physical pain, and it sits at the heart of "condole." The Latin prefix "con-" means "together," so "condoleo" originally meant to suffer with someone, to share their pain. English took the word from Ecclesiastical Latin, the Latin used by the Church, which explains why it feels more formal and bookish than its everyday relatives. The verb's sense has narrowed considerably since then. Its root, "doleo," also gave English "dolour" and "doleful," words that still carry the idea of grief and pain. "Condole" keeps that heavier emotional weight, but in modern use it refers specifically to expressing sympathy to someone who has suffered a loss, usually a bereavement.

Synonyms: sympathize, commiserate, console, comfort, solace

Antonyms: aggravate, disturb, upset, trouble, annoy