sympathize

verb

sym·​pa·​thize ˈsim-pə-ˌthīz How to pronounce sympathize (audio)
sympathized; sympathizing
Synonyms of sympathizenext

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

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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.
Holmes is much easier to sympathize with if your impression is limited to her — her story, her life, and her family, which make up the bulk of the movie. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026 The local government might have sympathized, but its hands were tied. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026 At the same time, Sanaa sympathized with the police, who were far outnumbered by vandals, many of them young men from France’s poorest suburbs, where youth unemployment is rampant. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 As her son Rauri, Murphy plays a creepy, brooding university dropout whom audiences also can’t help sympathize with. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sympathize

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of sympathize was in 1598

Rhymes for sympathize

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Browse Nearby Words

sympathism
sympathize
sympathizer
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Cite this Entry

“Sympathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathize. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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
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