sympathize

verb

sym·​pa·​thize ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz 

sympathized; sympathizing

intransitive verb

1

: to be in keeping, accord, or harmony

2

: to react or respond in sympathy

3

: to share in suffering or grief : commiserate

sympathize with a friend in trouble

also : to express such sympathy

4

: to be in sympathy intellectually

sympathize with a proposal

sympathizer noun

Synonyms

• ache (for)
• bleed (for)
• commiserate (with)
• compassionate
• condole (with)
• feel (for)
• pity
• yearn (over)

Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

I sympathize but how can I help?

Recent Examples on the Web

In the comments section of the post, many people sympathized with the bride's situation, understanding why her feelings have been hurt by her sister and brother's behavior. —Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Zoom in: Polling in the last year has consistently found Gen Zers and young millennials tend to sympathize with Palestinians and want the U.S. to stop supporting Israel's war effort at higher rates than older Americans. —Erica Pandey, Axios, 5 Oct. 2024

Later, the Eastern reporters including me sympathized with the unions and generally hoped Eastern would survive. —Ted Reed, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

The predicament has led many Armenian-Americans to sympathize with the Palestinian/Arab American uncommitted movement, though the two haven’t officially cooperated. —Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sympathize

verb

sym·​pa·​thize ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz 

sympathized; sympathizing

1

: to share in suffering or grief : to feel or show sympathy

2

: to be in favor of something

sympathizer noun