sympathize

verb sym·pa·thize \ ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: sympathize in a Sentence

Definition of sympathize

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

See sympathize defined for English-language learners

See sympathize defined for kids

Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

I sympathize but how can I help?

Recent Examples of sympathize from the Web

At first, a lot of people are probably apt to sympathize with men who are lonely.

— jennifer wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Incels Hate Women," 27 Apr. 2018
While many in the community sympathize with the Hammonds, most locals wanted the Bundys out.

— jake bullinger, Outside Online, "Trump’s Pardon Condones Western Rebellion," 12 July 2018
But others, even in criticizing the vicious response to Pougetoux, sympathize with the idea that ostensible displays of religion might clash with French union culture.

— karina piser, The New Republic, "Inside France’s Growing Identity War," 29 May 2018
Despite worries about his own research, Lyal sympathizes with the developing countries.

— kai kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "Plan to amend biopiracy rules would ‘smother research,’ biologists warn," 3 July 2018
Colunga, who is of Mexican descent, sympathizes with the struggles many Latinos face in immigrating to the United States.

— ayana archie and brandon griggs, CNN, "A Texas man felt sympathy for 54 immigrants discovered in a tractor-trailer. So he bought them all pizza," 13 June 2018
The mainstream media has been called out in the past for targeting Trump and sympathizing with MS-13.

— paulina dedaj, Fox News, "CNN anchor slammed over questions suggesting Trump campaign-MS-13 parallel," 2 June 2018
Flashbacks help viewers understand and sympathize with the characters.

— samantha incorvaia, azcentral, "Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin deliver gut-wrenching performances in 'Adrift'," 31 May 2018
But its recordings struck a nerve in New Jersey where two teachers union leaders were suspended last week after Veritas released undercover videos showing them sympathizing with a fictitious teacher who supposedly abused a student.

— patrick o'donnell, cleveland.com, "Ohio teachers say Project Veritas targeting them with undercover videotape stings," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sympathize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sympathize

1600

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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SYMPATHIZE Defined for English Language Learners

sympathize

verb

Definition of sympathize for English Language Learners

: to feel sorry for someone who is in a bad situation : to feel sympathy for someone because you understand that person's problems
: to feel or show support for or approval of something

SYMPATHIZE Defined for Kids

sympathize

verb sym·pa·thize \ ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz \

Definition of sympathize for Students

sympathized; sympathizing

1 : to feel or show pity or care and understanding for

We sympathize with the family in its sorrow.

2 : to be in favor of something

… no one sympathized with him in his little attempts to discover a quiet place for the seals.
—Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book

Learn More about sympathize

See words that rhyme with sympathize Spanish Central: Translation of sympathize Nglish: Translation of sympathize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sympathize for Arabic speakers

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sympathize

Definition of sympathize

sympathizer

Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sympathize from the Web

First Known Use of sympathize

SYMPATHIZE Defined for English Language Learners

sympathize

Definition of sympathize for English Language Learners

SYMPATHIZE Defined for Kids

sympathize

Definition of sympathize for Students

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Definition of sympathize

sympathizer

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First Known Use of sympathize

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sympathize

Definition of sympathize for English Language Learners

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sympathize

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