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

According to a February poll from the Public Religion Research Institute, a majority of Republicans support or sympathize with Christian nationalism. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns also took to social media to express his support for Marte. Towns, like Marte, lost his mother and can sympathize with what Marte went through. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025

Abbott makes the reader empathize and sympathize with her characters. —Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025

However, other commenters sympathized with the OP — particularly regarding the Hawaii invite that was rescinded — and encouraged a direct conversation.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

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