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
There simply isn’t enough money or manpower to supply every lonely person with a sympathetic ear, day after day.
—
Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The media has focused heavily on sympathetic (and perhaps some not-so-sympathetic) people being deported by Trump’s deputies.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Sweden had been officially neutral during the war, though various figures in its government were sympathetic to Hitler and the Nazi regime.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
Young Sil is sympathetic, the result of an unethical science experiment.
—ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The media has focused heavily on sympathetic (and perhaps some not-so-sympathetic) people being deported by Trump’s deputies.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Sweden had been officially neutral during the war, though various figures in its government were sympathetic to Hitler and the Nazi regime.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
Young Sil is sympathetic, the result of an unethical science experiment.
—ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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Companies like Google and Salesforce offer extensive parental leave programs, recognizing that supporting employees during one of life’s most significant milestones is not only compassionate but smart business.—
Will Fan,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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That means unlearning the language that perpetuates harm and stereotypes, and being more compassionate and humane across the board.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Good starters are made up of the unique mix of benevolent dictator (someone has got to keep things moving), a maestro (there are a million different things at play; the starter gets them all to hopefully harmonize) and friend.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
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The act was sealed in a pronouncement by Princess Isabel, who became a President Lincoln-like figure in Brazil, known to many as the benevolent white liberator of the enslaved.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Over the course of two seasons, the writing of the show and the actress performing the role turned the Grim Reaper into more of a caregiver who guides human souls to the beyond with a kind smile and empathic warmth.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
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But Lana was her own person: an actor, a comedian, beloved by her family and friends, a kind, talented woman who volunteered weekly for the AIDS charity Project Angel Food during the 80s, a time when many people would barely say the word AIDS aloud.—
Meg Pillow
July 31,
Literary Hub,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Firing off hundreds of identical applications and CVs is unlikely to land you that dream role, so every application needs a thoughtful approach.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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The attention Buzz has received from fans online has even inspired thoughtful next steps.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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Despite the complex emotions involved, being humane was worth the effort OD made toward her mother at the end.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Yet at the Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore conference on Wednesday, two experts called for a more humane and interdisciplinary approach to artificial intelligence.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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