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Sympathize vs Console - What's the difference?

sympathize | console |

As verbs the difference between sympathize and console

is that sympathize is to show sympathy; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected while console is to comfort (someone) in a time of grief, disappointment, etc.

As a noun console is

a cabinet designed to stand on the floor, especially one that houses home entertainment equipment, such as a TV or stereo system.

sympathize

English

Verb

(North America)
  • To show sympathy; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected.
  • * Addison
    • Their countrymen sympathized with their heroes in all their adventures.
  • To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain.
  • * Buckminster
    • The mind will sympathize so much with the anguish and debility of the body, that it will be too distracted to fix itself in meditation.
  • To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize.
    • (Dryden)

    Usage notes

    Used similarly to empathize, interchangeably in looser usage. In stricter usage, (term) is stronger and more intimate, while sympathize is weaker and more distant; see . Further, the general “agree, accord” sense of sympathize is not shared with (term).

    console

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A cabinet designed to stand on the floor, especially one that houses home entertainment equipment, such as a TV or stereo system.
  • A cabinet that controls, instruments, and displays are mounted upon.
  • The keyboard and screen of a computer or other electronic device.
  • A storage tray or container mounted between the seats of an automobile.
  • (video games) A device dedicated to playing video games, set apart from arcade cabinets by its ability to change games.
  • (architecture) An ornamental member jutting out of a wall to carry a superincumbent weight.
    • Derived terms
    * console table
    See also
    * corbel

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Verb

    (consol)
  • To comfort (someone) in a time of grief, disappointment, etc.
  • * P. Henry
    • I am much consoled by the reflection that the religion of Christ has been attacked in vain by all the wits and philosophers, and its triumph has been complete.
  • * 1856 : (Gustave Flaubert), (Madame Bovary), Part III Chapter X, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling
    • "Do you remember, my friend, that I went to Tostes once when you had just lost your first deceased? I consoled you at that time. I thought of something to say then, but now—" Then, with a loud groan that shook his whole chest, "Ah! this is the end for me, do you see! I saw my wife go, then my son, and now to-day it's my daughter."
    Synonyms
    * comfort, solace
    Derived terms
    * consolable * consolation * consolatory * consoler * consoling * consolingly