sympathises

Sympathises is the third-person singular present tense of the British English verb sympathise. It means to feel or express sympathy with someone’s feelings or situation, or to support a person or cause emotionally. The noun form is sympathy, and a related noun is sympathies.

Usage notes: Sympathise with someone is commonly followed by with, as in "She sympathises with his plight." It can denote emotional understanding, pity, or moral support for a person or their circumstances. In some contexts it also conveys agreement with a viewpoint when expressed as sympathy for a cause. In contrast, the American spelling sympathizes is used in United States English.

Etymology: The verb derives from Middle French sympathiser and ultimately from Greek sympatheia, formed from syn- meaning together and pathos meaning feeling. The related noun sympathy shares the same roots, as do related terms such as sympathetic and empathy.

Distinctions: Sympathise and empathise are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but they can carry subtle differences. Sympathise emphasizes shared feelings or compassion toward another’s situation, while empathise emphasizes understanding from the other person’s perspective. In formal writing, choosing the British spelling sympathise aligns with regional conventions.

See also: sympathy, sympathies, sympathetic, empathy.