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.
The poll found the number of Americans who sympathize with the Palestinians is at the highest level since Gallup began tracking the measure, at 33 percent. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 Though many sympathized with Roan, others were quick to deem her ungrateful. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 May 2025 Georgetown faculty have good relationships with many powerful people across the globe who are unlikely to sympathize with some legal hack trying to bully their alma mater. Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025 According to traditional narrative logic, audiences should be predisposed to sympathize with this family, who are introduced first and seem like decent Iranian citizens (even if striking a dog doesn’t earn the patriarch any points). Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sympathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathize. Accessed 5 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!