Word Study
sympathize
CIDE DICTIONARY
sympathize, v. i. [F. sympathiser. See Sympathy.].
- To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain. [1913 Webster]"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." [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]"Their countrymen . . . sympathized with their heroes in all their adventures." [1913 Webster]
- To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize. Dryden. [1913 Webster]
sympathize, v. t.
- To experience together. Shak. [1913 Webster]
- To ansew to; to correspond to. Shak. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
sympathize, v.intr. (also -ise) (often foll. by with)
1 feel or express sympathy; share a feeling or opinion.
2 agree with a sentiment or opinion.
1 feel or express sympathy; share a feeling or opinion.
2 agree with a sentiment or opinion.
Derivative
sympathizer n.
Etymology
F sympathiser (as SYMPATHY)
ROGET THESAURUS
sympathize
Pity
VB pity, have pity, show pity, take pity, commiserate, compassionate, condole, sympathize, feel for, be sorry for, yearn for, weep, melt, thaw, enter into the feelings of, forbear, relent, relax, give quarter, wipe the tears, parcere subjectis, give a coup de gr=ace, put out of one's misery, raise pity, excite pity, touch, soften, melt, melt the heart, propitiate, disarm, ask for mercy, supplicate, cry for quarter, beg one's life, kneel, deprecate.For further exploring for "sympathize" in Webster Dictionary Online