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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sympathetic
Scammers are dependent upon gaining your trust, and a sympathetic or catchy story is a great way to do that.
—
Jeremy H. Gottschalk, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Taylor Ashley Knott is authentic and sympathetic as Shatique, a kind and striving single mom pushed to desperation for her family.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Jordan’s overall physicality is especially well suited to playing these sympathetic characters who get knocked down, get up, and hit back.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 2 June 2025
The thinking was that Spanish authorities were sympathetic to the Nazis, and would likely pass on the documents to German intelligence.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Jeremy H. Gottschalk, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Taylor Ashley Knott is authentic and sympathetic as Shatique, a kind and striving single mom pushed to desperation for her family.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Jordan’s overall physicality is especially well suited to playing these sympathetic characters who get knocked down, get up, and hit back.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 2 June 2025
The thinking was that Spanish authorities were sympathetic to the Nazis, and would likely pass on the documents to German intelligence.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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Seek out people who are compassionate and who have your back.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 June 2025
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That’s why taking a holistic, compassionate approach to dealing with these issues is crucial.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Elsewhere, organised crime still has its tendrils in many parts of the sport across the globe, and the misty-eyed reverence for benevolent local tycoons is a notion that went extinct before the Tasmanian tiger.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Another new motif was the eye, meant to represent here an omniscient but benevolent entity that accompanies and perpetuates knowledge in an unaltered state.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Paris favors the kinder appellation: The Holy Trinity.—
Jeff Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
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Instead, little Celeste spends her days with a kind guardian robot.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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The Feels is the brainchild of Allie Hoffman, who came up with the idea for a more thoughtful IRL dating event while pursuing her master’s degree from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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These practices can generate thoughtful and detailed commentary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Decker’s dog was also found with the vehicle and subsequently placed in the care of the local humane society.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2025
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Decker's dog was also found near the scene, and has since been turned over to the local humane society, per the sheriff's office.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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