the word sympathize is a modern english formation built from classical components. its core, the greek root "path-", originates from the pie root kwent(h)-, meaning "to suffer, endure," which evolved into greek "pathos" signifying suffering, feeling, or experience. the prefix "sym-", from greek "syn-", meaning "together," was attached to form "sympatheia," a state of shared feeling. this concept entered late latin as "sympathia" and old french as "simpathe." the english verb was created in the late 16th century by adding the productive suffix "-ize," which converts nouns into verbs meaning "to act in the manner of." thus, the literal construction "to make/be with feeling" logically evolved into the modern abstract meanings of sharing another's emotions or supporting a shared viewpoint.

Structure: sym (together) + path (feeling) + ize (verb suffix) - sym: from greek, via latin; a prefix meaning "together, with". - path: from greek, via latin; a root meaning "feeling, suffering, disease". - ize: from greek, via latin and french; a verb-forming suffix meaning "to make, to become, to practice".