Pronunciation: [sˈɪmpəθˌa͡ɪzɪz] (IPA) 
The word "sympathizes" is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" despite its root word "sympathy" being spelled with an "s". This is because the ending "-ize" (as in "sym-pa-thize-s") is a common suffix in English that comes from Greek verbs ending in "-izein". This suffix is used to form verbs meaning "to make like" or "to make into". The sound of "-ize" is represented phonetically as /aɪz/ or "eyes".
The term "sympathizes" is a verb derived from the noun "sympathy." Sympathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, particularly in response to their pain, suffering, or hardship. When someone sympathizes, they express compassion, concern, or support towards a person or a situation.
To sympathize often involves displaying a genuine emotional connection and understanding towards another person's experiences, difficulties, or challenges. It implies the capacity to empathize and relate to someone's emotions, resulting in a desire to offer solace, encouragement, or assistance. Sympathizing can manifest in various ways - through active listening, providing words of comfort, or engaging in acts of kindness or support.
When a person sympathizes, they acknowledge the emotions and hardships that another person is going through, stepping into their shoes momentarily to share in their pain. This act of sympathy is rooted in empathy, as it involves the ability to understand and relate to the feelings and experiences of others.
Sympathizing can be a powerful tool in fostering connection, understanding, and community. It helps bridge the gaps between individuals by providing emotional support, reassurance, and validation. Through sympathizing, people can strengthen relationships, foster solidarity, and promote a sense of belonging, ultimately creating a more compassionate and empathetic society.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sympathizes" is derived from the noun "sympathy" which comes from the Latin word "sympathia" and the Greek word "sympatheia". In Latin, "sympathia" is a combination of the prefix "sym-" meaning "together" and "pathos" meaning "feeling" or "suffering". The Greek word "sympatheia" has a similar meaning, combining the prefix "syn-" also meaning "together" and "pathos". Over time, the verb "sympathize" was formed from the noun "sympathy" to describe the act of sharing or understanding another person's feelings or experiences. The formation of "sympathizes" follows the standard verb conjugation pattern in English.
