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 of sympathize

• pity
• feel (for)
• bleed (for)

Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

I sympathize but how can I help?

Recent Examples on the Web

While Gettysburg dramatizes Confederate soldiers’ points of view without outwardly sympathizing with them, the same cannot honestly be said of Maxwell’s late-era prequel, Gods and Generals (2003). —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026

Most people ages 18-34 sympathized more with Palestinians, which Gallup marked as a first. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026

The realization that many members did not have the same connection to Israel, and even sympathized with its critics, startled her. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

Erin Coleman, who lives down the street, sympathized with the plow drivers while wondering when the city might address the problem. —Joe Holden, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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