sym·pa·thet·ic
ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 
1
: existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association
2
a
: appropriate to one's mood, inclinations, or disposition
b
: marked by kindly or pleased appreciation
the biographer's approach was sympathetic
3
: given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion, friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions
a sympathetic gesture
4
: favorably inclined : approving
not sympathetic to the idea
5
a
: showing empathy
b
: arousing sympathy or compassion
a sympathetic role in the play
6
a
: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
b
: mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
7
: relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration
: a sympathetic structure
especially
: sympathetic nervous system
Synonyms
Examples of sympathetic in a Sentence
Adjective
He received much help from sympathetic friends.
I didn't find the hero in the movie very sympathetic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson, whom the Department of Justice recently alleged was unwittingly paid by Russian state media to produce Kremlin sympathetic content, reposted an image of Biden biting the baby in the turkey costume.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Fox News, 3 Mar. 2023
Prelogar said states can file suits in numerous jurisdictions, searching for a judge sympathetic to their cause.
—Dallas News, 29 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for sympathetic 
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Adjective
Many states that rely on advisory committee recommendations for vaccination schedules and mandates could also choose to ignore them if people sympathetic to Kennedy’s views join the panels.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson, whom the Department of Justice recently alleged was unwittingly paid by Russian state media to produce Kremlin sympathetic content, reposted an image of Biden biting the baby in the turkey costume.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
His faith was increasingly at odds with national sentiment after King Charles I, an Anglican sympathetic to Roman Catholicism, gained the throne in 1625.
—Fox News, 3 Mar. 2023
Prelogar said states can file suits in numerous jurisdictions, searching for a judge sympathetic to their cause.
—Dallas News, 29 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for sympathetic
Articles Related to sympathetic
Dictionary Entries Near sympathetic
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathetic. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sympathetic
1 of 2 adjective
sym·pa·thet·ic
ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik
1
: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
2
: mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
sympathetic
2 of 2 noun
: a sympathetic structure
especially
: sympathetic nervous system
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