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

Americans still support Israel, but sympathize with Palestine too Last year, a 538 analysis found that sympathy for Israelis spiked soon after the attacks despite a longer-term trend of increasing sympathy for Palestinians, especially among Democrats and independents. —Monica Potts, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2024

Truthfully, Miss Manners sympathizes; the change seems pointless. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024

In the comments, many people sympathized with the bride's frustration and hurt feelings. —Erin Clack, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

Yet this violence isn’t justifiable simply because viewers can understand—and even sympathize with—the source of her anger. —Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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