sympathize with

sympathize with (someone or something)

1. To feel or express compassion for what someone is experiencing or feeling. We're so sorry for your loss, Mike. I just wanted to let you know that we all sympathize with you. I really sympathize with her plight—it's just such an awful situation, with no clear solution.

2. To share or understand the thoughts, ideas, ambitions, etc., of someone or something else. We certainly sympathize with your intentions, Ms. Connors, but there are certain issues that make this much more difficult to implement than you're suggesting. Thankfully the board of directors sympathized with our team and what we were trying to accomplish.

See also: sympathize

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sympathize with someone (about someone or something)

to share someone else's sorrow or anger about someone or something; to comfort someone who is sad or angry (about someone or something). I sympathize with you about what you are going through. I really sympathize with you.

See also: sympathize

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.