Which term means to sympathize with someone?

The term "commiserate" specifically means to express or feel sympathy or compassion for someone who is experiencing hardship or suffering. This word conveys a sense of shared sorrow and understanding of another person's misfortune. It originates from the Latin word "commiserari," which combines "com-" meaning with, and "miserari," meaning to grieve or lament. Thus, when someone commiserates, they are sharing in the feelings of sadness or distress, offering emotional support through their understanding and empathy.

In contrast, the other terms are associated with different meanings. "Canon" typically refers to a collection or body of works, especially those considered authoritative or standard in a particular field, such as literature or law. "Coagulate" relates to the process of a liquid, especially blood, forming into a solid or semi-solid state, which has no connection to feelings or sympathy. "Catharsis" refers to the process of releasing strong or repressed emotions, often through art or drama, but it does not specifically denote sympathizing with someone else.

Therefore, commiserate is the most accurate term that encapsulates the act of offering sympathy and understanding to someone in distress.