sympathize (
also sympathise British English) /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/ to feel sad for someone because you understand their problems:
It must be awful for you – I do sympathize. He told me how difficult it was dealing with his parents, and I sympathized with him.feel sorry for somebody to feel sad for someone because they have had bad luck or are in a difficult situation:
I felt really sorry for him when he lost his job. It’s his wife I feel sorry for – on her own with four kids.understand to realize how someone feels and why they behave the way they do, and be kind to them:
I’m sure if you talk to him, he’ll understand. It’s important to try and understand teenagers.pity to feel sad for someone because they are in a very difficult situation:
The man paled when they found him guilty, and I pitied him. I pity anyone who has to feed a family on such a low income. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲