verb
sympathize
verb
1
To feel or express understanding and care for someone else's suffering or situation.
"I sympathize with anyone who has to commute two hours a day."
"She sympathized with her friend after the breakup."
2
To support or agree with a cause, side, or opinion.
"Many voters sympathized with the protesters' demands."
How to Use Sympathize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo share or understand someone's feelings, or to support their cause.
UK vs US
British English typically spells this "sympathise"; American English uses "sympathize."
Common pairings
sympathize with
sympathize deeply
Word Forms
sympathized past tense, sympathizes singular
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I _____ with anyone who has to commute two hours a day.
Etymology
Borrowed from French sympathiser, built from sympathy + -ize.