sympathise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sympathise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express understanding or agreement with someone's feelings or experiences. For example, "I sympathise with you on the loss of your job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The broad thrust of policy for those who sympathise with violence was so-called "drain the swamp" activities, including encouraging non-violent means of expression, coupled with attempts to show it could make a difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite his red card it was difficult not to sympathise with Atlético.

The Guardian - Sport

The viewer is also invited to sympathise with the one person who lives in the derelict area, an elderly woman who tells Colvin: "You say you've got a programme that can place me somewhere else, but you ain't got a programme for what's outside my door".

The Guardian

There is nobody who can sympathise with her.

The Guardian - Film

I would guess that most people would sympathise with the first request more than the other two, even though the person has been informed fully how their data will be used, has had an opportunity to craft their own words, and it is reported word-for-word.

The Guardian - Opinion

After scoring against Sudan during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, he pulled up his red national team jersey to reveal a white T-shirt reading "Sympathise with Gaza".

The Guardian

I sympathise with that and I have voted tactically in the past but I got fed up of it, and in the end the only way you are going to get the politics you want is by voting for it," said Chance.

The Guardian

Carlyle won’t comment on any of this, but the longer he spends explaining why, the more you sympathise with him.

The Guardian - Film

Part of the problem is that while we are used to praising or criticising students, it is unusual to sympathise with them.

The Guardian

Only six days after republican dissidents caused outrage with the murder of a young Catholic police officer in Omagh, they are back inflicting more disruption to the lives of ordinary Irish citizens who do not sympathise at all with their narrow, futile agenda.

The Guardian

It's easy to sympathise with GPs reporting burnout; there are bottomless piles of paperwork and long hours with shifts that never seem to be over as you take the concerns of the day back to your home and partner, then to your bed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sympathise", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're expressing understanding of someone's feelings or agreement with their views. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "sympathise" when you actually mean to express complete agreement or endorsement. While sympathy implies understanding, it doesn't necessarily mean you fully agree with the action or belief.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sympathise" is as an intransitive verb. It describes the action of feeling or expressing sympathy, understanding, or compassion for someone or something. As shown by Ludwig, the usage of "sympathise" can be versatile to describe situations and people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sympathise" is a versatile and commonly used verb to express understanding, compassion, or agreement with someone's feelings or situation. As Ludwig AI reports, the expression is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is used primarily in neutral to formal contexts, especially in News & Media and Business communications. While often confused with "empathise", "sympathise" implies a more general understanding, while "empathise" conveys a deeper emotional connection. Be mindful to avoid substituting "sympathise" with mere agreement and choose the spelling variant, "sympathise" or "sympathize", appropriate for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathize with

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

feel for

A more colloquial way to express sympathy or understanding.

commiserate with

Highlights sharing in sorrow or misfortune.

understand

Emphasizes cognitive comprehension of someone's situation.

have compassion for

Stresses feelings of pity and concern.

relate to

Indicates a shared experience or perspective.

be understanding of

Highlights being tolerant and accepting of someone's situation.

be moved by

Emphasizes an emotional response to someone's plight.

show solidarity with

Focuses on expressing support and unity with a group or cause.

see eye to eye with

Implies agreement in opinion or viewpoint.

FAQs

How do I use "sympathise" in a sentence?

You can use "sympathise" to express understanding or compassion for someone's feelings or situation. For example, "I "sympathise" with your loss" or "It's easy to "sympathise" with GPs reporting burnout".

What's the difference between "sympathise" and "empathise"?

"Sympathise" means to understand and share the feelings of another, while "empathise" means to deeply understand and share the feelings of another as if experiencing them yourself. "Empathise with" implies a stronger connection.

What can I say instead of "sympathise"?

You can use alternatives like "empathize with", "feel for", or "commiserate with" depending on the specific context.

Is "sympathise" the same as "sympathize"?

"Sympathise" and "sympathize" have the same meaning; the former is the British English spelling, while the latter is the American English spelling. Use the spelling appropriate to your audience.