sympathizer
Americannoun
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a person who sympathizes.
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Ophthalmology. an eye that exhibits ophthalmia because of disease or injury of the other.
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
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."
Vocabulary lists containing sympathizer
Echo
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their father, whom Meloni described as a Communist sympathizer, left the family to settle in Spain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
"I'm not a terrorist sympathizer," she told CNN, adding: "I'm literally just a random student."
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2025
Although these gardens were arguably Chinese in theme, and the Chinese were U.S. allies in World War II, the suspicions hovered around Bernheimer that he was an Axis sympathizer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 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
Whether his father is or isn't NSB, Christoffel could be a sympathizer.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
