Sympathize
/ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/
Definitions
To feel or express sympathy or compassion; to agree with or support.
/ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/
To share or understand the feelings of another.
I can't help but sympathize with her situation.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend is sad because they lost their favorite toy. To sympathize means you understand how they feel and you feel a bit sad with them. It's like sharing their feeling.
👶 For kids: To feel sad or happy with someone else.
More Examples
It's important to sympathize with those less fortunate.
He sympathizes with the protestors' cause.
How It's Used
"I sympathize with anyone who has to go through a difficult breakup."
"The author encourages the reader to sympathize with the protagonist's struggles."
"The therapist helps patients learn to sympathize with their own emotions."
Idioms & expressions
I sympathize.
An expression of understanding or compassion for someone's situation.
""My car broke down, and I have to walk." "Oh, I sympathize! That's terrible.""
From Late Latin *sympathizare*, from Greek *sumpathein* 'to feel with', from *sum-* 'with' + *pathein* 'to suffer, feel'.
The word gained prominence in the 18th century, reflecting an increased focus on emotional understanding and social sensitivity.
Memory tip
Think of 'sym' as 'together' and 'path' as 'feeling'. Sympathize means feeling together with someone else's feelings.