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

Lawrence sympathized with the glum feelings of early adulthood and urged the students not to succumb to despair. — Jacqueline Ganun, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Virginia, your story uses dark humor to manipulate readers into sympathizing with Winifred before turning on them. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Many sympathized with the victim, known as Jane Doe, and vented about Cornell’s response. — New York Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Fans in the comment section of the post sympathized with the designer’s apparent sick day, offering words of advice. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for sympathize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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