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

In the comments section, fellow Redditor's sympathized with the groom's situation, and agreed that his wife should not have been asking their wedding guests to give money. —Erin Clack, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025

That year, 51% of respondents sympathized more with Israelis, but only 16% sympathized more with Palestinians. —Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025

Much of that change was driven by Democrats, 35 percent of whom sympathized with the Palestinians in the latest poll, compared to 27 percent in the late January survey. —Monica Potts, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025

Fellow Redditors sympathized with the bride's situation. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 20 Mar. 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