sympathizer

American  

[sim-puh-thahy-zer] / ˈsɪm pəˌθaɪ zər /

noun

1. a person who sympathizes.

2. Ophthalmology. an eye that exhibits ophthalmia because of disease or injury of the other.

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Usage

What does sympathizer mean? Sympathizer most commonly refers to someone who is supportive of or loyal to someone or something, such as a leader or cause. The verb sympathize most commonly means to feel sympathy with someone—to share their emotions, especially sadness. This is usually understood to mean that you feel bad for them because they are in a negative situation. The word sympathizer can be used to mean someone who sympathizes in this way. It can also refer to someone who offers their sympathies or condolences, such as to someone who is in mourning. But sympathizer is especially used to refer to someone who identifies with, supports, or is sympathetic toward a certain cause. This sense of the word is usually used in a negative way to criticize such support, and often implies that such support is secret or at least not fully open. This is the way the word is used in the phrase Communist sympathizer. Example: We condemn not only the people directly responsible for these attacks but also their sympathizers.

Other Word Forms

• nonsympathizer noun

Etymology

Origin of sympathizer

First recorded in 1805–15; sympathize + -er ¹

Explanation

Someone who's on your side, who supports you wholeheartedly, is your sympathizer. A sympathizer wishes you the very best, especially when you're going through a hard time or working to achieve a goal. Your best friend might be your number one sympathizer, agreeing with your opinions and backing you up when you need support. Key to the noun sympathizer is the verb sympathize, "agree with a sentiment" or "have fellow feeling." Both words come from the Greek sympathes, "affected by like feelings," a combination of syn, "together," and pathos, "feeling."

Example Sentences

Your humble correspondent cannot claim to be a communist sympathizer, but shouldn’t we all spare a thought for anyone who has to sit through endless hours of Marxist speeches without so much as a cocktail?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

"I'm not a terrorist sympathizer," she told CNN, adding: "I'm literally just a random student."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2025

In one memorable instance, Piker interviewed an alleged Houthi sympathizer who went viral on TikTok for his uncanny resemblance to Timothée Chalamet.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2025

Hale, a Puritan sympathizer and later Lord Chief Justice of England, sent two women to their doom as “witches” after a trial in 1664.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2024

But a family of people who were later freed said, “None did more valiant service, both by advice and actual soliciting for funds than their true friend and sympathizer, Paul Jennings.”

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• ally
• backer
• collaborator
• supporter