sympathize
verb
sym·pa·thize
ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz 
sympathized; sympathizing
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
Examples of sympathize in a Sentence
I sympathize but how can I help?
Recent Examples on the Web
Cruelty and corruption recognized no regional boundaries, and officials on both sides seem to have come closer to despising than sympathizing with their suffering captives.
—
Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Vance added that the president continues to sympathize with the Iranian people, but nuclear weapons remain a paramount interest.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
Immigrants who are living and working legally in Florida might not sympathize with foreign nationals who don’t follow the rules.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Another festival insider sympathized, noting that all festivals struggled to retain sponsors after the pandemic.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Vance added that the president continues to sympathize with the Iranian people, but nuclear weapons remain a paramount interest.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
Immigrants who are living and working legally in Florida might not sympathize with foreign nationals who don’t follow the rules.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Another festival insider sympathized, noting that all festivals struggled to retain sponsors after the pandemic.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathize
Cite this Entry
“Sympathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathize. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
