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

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

Yet on May 14, the 1st Iowa Infantry Regiment mustered at Keokuk and made its way to Confederate-sympathizing southern Missouri. —Bill Steiden, Des Moines Register, 24 Mar. 2026

The new poll comes weeks after a second national poll found that Americans sympathized more with Palestinians than with Israelis. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 23 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