sympathize

sym·pa·thize | \ ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz

How to pronounce sympathize (audio)

\

sympathized; sympathizing

Definition of sympathize

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

Other Words from sympathize More Example Sentences Learn More about sympathize

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Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

I sympathize but how can I help?

Recent Examples on the Web Join forces with people who sympathize with your views and understand your needs. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Dec. 11, 2020: Virgo, don’t overthink it; Aquarius, people don’t need to know your business," 11 Dec. 2020 Some saw his behavior as indicative of someone unable or unwilling to sympathize with others, and of someone who chooses to deliberately inflict distress. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "The Revenge Porn Guy Was Just Elected To Office In Kansas," 5 Nov. 2020 But The Columnist definitely does not portray Femke as a villain or ask viewers to sympathize with the victims whose hate-spewing went previously unchecked. — Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "In The Columnist, reading the comments isn’t bad—being a toxic online troll is," 11 Oct. 2020 Union 2020 has compiled a list of 400,000 former union members as well as 700,000 other voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, who, according to various databases, sympathize with workers and unions. — Steven Greenhouse, The New Republic, "A Bold New Plan to Turn the Rest Belt Blue," 4 Sep. 2020 In contrast, viewers of The Columnist will most likely sympathize with all the middle fingers awaiting them in this film. — Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "In The Columnist, reading the comments isn’t bad—being a toxic online troll is," 11 Oct. 2020 Fan prediction: By the end of the show, the audience will sympathize with Paulson's terror-inducing character. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Sarah Paulson Reacts to Ratched and American Horror Story Fan Theories," 22 Sep. 2020 When the protests started, de Blasio could have seized the moment to sympathize with the protesters and demand reform and greater accountability. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Bill de Blasio Has Failed," 2 June 2020 Lewis Lanier, an immunologist at the University of California, San Francisco, can sympathize. — Quanta Magazine, "‘Trained Immunity’ Offers Hope in Fight Against Coronavirus," 14 Sep. 2020

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.

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Learn More about sympathize

Dictionary Entries near sympathize

sympathomimetic

Statistics for sympathize

Last Updated

18 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Sympathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathize. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for sympathize

sympathize

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sympathize

: 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

See the full definition for sympathize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sympathize

sym·pa·thize | \ ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz

\

sympathized; sympathizing

Kids Definition of sympathize

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

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