1
as in compassionate
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another
a sympathetic smile needed a sympathetic listener who would understand her marital woes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a sympathetic store manager who let us use the telephone sympathetic letters from supporters after the disappointing verdict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sympathetic
As mayor, Adams was outwardly sympathetic to Republicans’ tough-on-crime stance.
—
Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
By that time, Amanda had received donations from hundreds of people who were sympathetic to her cause (court records put the number of donors from Amanda’s support page between September 13, 2013, and March 15, 2016, at 447).
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2025
For one, everyone will feel deeply betrayed by Helena, yet sympathetic to Helly R.’s unwitting abetting.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Feb. 2025
During the trial, the judge, Christopher Hehir, was not very sympathetic.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
By that time, Amanda had received donations from hundreds of people who were sympathetic to her cause (court records put the number of donors from Amanda’s support page between September 13, 2013, and March 15, 2016, at 447).
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2025
For one, everyone will feel deeply betrayed by Helena, yet sympathetic to Helly R.’s unwitting abetting.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Feb. 2025
During the trial, the judge, Christopher Hehir, was not very sympathetic.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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Even with their flaws and subjectivities, human therapists are equipped to hold a compassionate, adaptive space that AI currently can’t replicate.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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June's story serves as a reminder of the dedication required to rescue and rehabilitate homeless animals, as well as the impact of compassionate individuals willing to go the extra mile.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Secret Societies and the Fight for Black Freedom Dating to the pre-Revolutionary era, mutual aid and benevolent societies supported Black Americans and the fight for civil rights and justice.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Feb. 2025
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Steves, with his impeccable recommendations, sensible budgeting options, and gently corny prose style, has served as the benevolent fairy godfather on more than one trip for me.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Rublev has tended to find being kind to himself difficult.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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The conflicts unleashed by these regional allies have not been particularly kind to the Iranian leadership.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That didn’t stop Durant from considering each question before providing a thoughtful answer.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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Finally, Montgomery appear as Hillary, a thoughtful woman who longs for justice, according to Deadline.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The dog will serve a mandatory 10-day bite quarantine, the humane society said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Feb. 2025
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The humane society has options to foster or adopt animals on its website.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to sympathetic
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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