sympathize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To feel or show that you understand and share someone's sadness or troubles.

   I really sympathize with you after such a difficult year.

2. 2
   verb

   To understand and accept someone's feelings or point of view.

   I can sympathize with her decision, even if I would have chosen differently.

3. 3
   verb

   To support or agree with a cause, side, or movement.

   Many young voters sympathize with the new party.

Borrowed from French sympathiser. By surface analysis, sympathy + -ize. Displaced native Old English efnþrōwian (literally “to suffer with or together”).

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