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

These upper-crust elites are ones we’re meant, at the end of the day, to sympathize with and root for. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

Many also sympathized with the bride for having her wedding weekend interrupted by a group of strangers. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025

While some sympathized with the disappointment of the situation, commenters raised the likelihood that the cupcakes were barred because of health and safety regulations. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

Barham spoke calmly during the public comments section, saying that Siblani has sympathized with groups in the Middle East Barham said are violent. —Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 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