sympathize

verb

sym·​pa·​thize ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz How to pronounce sympathize (audio)
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

Examples of sympathize in a Sentence

I sympathize but how can I help?
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In the comments, many people sympathized with the woman's stance that the husband's gift idea doesn't actually seem like much of a gift. Erin Clack, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025 Then, halfway through 2021, around the same time that the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol was formed, a narrative that sympathized with the January 6th rioters started making its way from the far-right fringes into right-wing media. Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025 The group appears to sympathize with Russia and seeks to discredit Ukraine’s propaganda. Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 While some users sympathized with the passenger's experience, others found humor in it. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sympathize 

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sympathize was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near sympathize

Cite this Entry

“Sympathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathize. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

sympathize

verb
sym·​pa·​thize ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz How to pronounce sympathize (audio)
sympathized; sympathizing
1
: to share in suffering or grief : to feel or show sympathy
2
: to be in favor of something
sympathizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sympathize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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