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

Others sympathized with the woman while still disagreeing with her decision. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 29 July 2025

Juries tend to sympathize with individuals who have a story to tell about how they were swindled by a big, highly profitable company. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025

Theirs are worlds in which society is able to sympathize with, and even socially accept, a true artificial intelligence. —Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 5 July 2025

This new reporter, who has only been on the job for two months, thoroughly sympathized with that sentiment. —Anna Cecil, IndyStar, 2 July 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