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

But Googoosh was also taken up by urban intellectuals who sympathized with the shah’s opponents. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025

After spending weeks volunteering at her local nursing home, Angela can’t help but sympathize with her former father-in-law and impulsively decides to move him into her home with Tommy. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

School board Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez Hoy sympathizes with the teachers. —Amanda Hari, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

The moment has resonated deeply, earning over 334,000 views and 90,000 likes as users sympathize with the aging pet’s determination. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

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