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

However, other commenters sympathized with the OP — particularly regarding the Hawaii invite that was rescinded — and encouraged a direct conversation. —Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 21 June 2025

With the family’s wealth, whiteness and lack of regard for others, many viewers might find themselves hard-pressed to sympathize, much less identify, with the Sinclars. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 June 2025

Read Next National Do Americans sympathize with Israelis or Palestinians? —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025

If the war concerned solely territorial integrity, Europeans would sympathize with the Confederacy. —Zaakir Tameez june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 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