sympathize

verb

sym·pa·thize ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz

sympathized; sympathizing

Synonyms of sympathize next

intransitive verb

: to be in keeping, accord, or harmony

: to react or respond in sympathy

: to share in suffering or grief : commiserate

sympathize with a friend in trouble

also : to express such sympathy

: to be in sympathy intellectually

sympathize with a proposal

sympathizer noun

Example Sentences

I sympathize but how can I help?

Recent Examples on the Web Ursula and King Triton are siblings in new 'Little Mermaid': Why that 'changed the game' McCarthy has had decades to consider, and sympathize with, Ursula's plight. —

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 25 May 2023 His stubbornness costs him dearly, and we’re meant to sympathize with a man who chooses to abandon his family for some macho ideal. —

Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023 The investigators said Paxton seemed to sympathize with Paul, whose businesses and offices were raided by the FBI in 2019. —

Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, 24 May 2023 Authorities identified the gunman as Mauricio Garcia, according to The Associated Press, which reported Sunday that federal agents were looking into whether the shooter had sympathized with neo-Nazi and White supremacist beliefs in his past social media posts. —

Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 8 May 2023 The left-wing leader has more pressing issues to address, and is particularly comfortable with having his bitter rival enjoying a tourist life near Orlando, where he’s become an odd attraction for Brazilians who sympathize with his Trump-like political style. —

Jordan Fabian, Bloomberg.com, 9 Feb. 2023 February polling from the Public Religion Research Institute found that more than half of Republicans adhere to or sympathize with pillars of Christian nationalism, including beliefs that the U.S. should be a strictly Christian nation. —

Robert Downen, Chron, 4 May 2023 Forty-nine percent of Democrats sympathize with Palestinians, 38 percent with Israelis. —

CBS News, 23 Apr. 2023 Pitcher Ross Stripling can sympathize with San Francisco Giants fans, who not only saw Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa sign elsewhere but watched Carlos Rodón exercise his opt-out clause and leave for greener pastures. —

John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sympathize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.