sympathize
VerbUS[sim-puh-thahyz]/ˈsɪmpəˌθaɪz/3 syllables
Open English WordNet
Verb (3)sympathized, sympathizing
- share the feelings of; understand the sentiments ofSynonyms: sympathiseMore general feel, experience
- be understanding of“You don't need to explain — I understand!”Synonyms: sympathiseempathizeempathiseunderstandMore general feel, experience
- to feel or express sympathy or compassionSynonyms: commiseratesympathiseMore general feel for, pityMore specific condole
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Sym′pa·thize intransitive verb [past tense & past participle Sympathized; present participle & verbal noun Sympathizing.]
Origin: F. sympathiser. See Sympathy.
1. To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain.
The mind will sympathize so much with the anguish and debility of the body, that it will be too distracted to fix itself in meditation.— Joseph Stevens Buckminster
2. To feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected.
Their countrymen... sympathized with their heroes in all their adventures.— Joseph Addison
3. To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize. John Dryden
Sym′pa·thize transitive verb
1. To experience together. obsolete “This sympathized... error.” William Shakespeare
2. To ansew to; to correspond to. obsolete William Shakespeare
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54