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

• pity
• feel (for)
• bleed (for)

Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

I sympathize but how can I help?

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet readers are meant to sympathize with the heroine at this moment, not with the woman who’s throwing shade. —Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

With thousands of likes and comments, many other parents sympathized with the Mutiglis' overwhelm. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Fans of the famed chef applauded her honesty and vulnerability, and even sympathized with the aging sentiments. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Hickman sympathizes with workers demanding better pay but is worried about his own health and travel challenges. —Nathan Gomes, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sympathize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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