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

So Nandor sits down with Guillermo and attempts to sympathize with him, while Colin offers empty platitudes better suited to a coffee mug. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 16 Dec. 2024

The implicitly grotesque response has been to declare that one is against assassination, but that one comprehends it — and perhaps even sympathizes with it — nevertheless. —Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024

Tens of thousands of people have expressed support on social media for the killing or sympathized with it. —Melissa Chan, NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024

Tens of thousands of people have expressed support on social media for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, or sympathized with it, in what at least one researcher is calling a worrying sign of radicalization among segments of the U.S. population. —Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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