1
as in compassion
sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune
since losing her own brother to lung disease, the nurse has had greater sympathy for families going through the same agony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kindness
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune
the least you could do is have some sympathy for me if I have to stay home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sympathy
Thompson’s death was greeted with horror and sympathy for the victim’s family but also with disturbingly widespread support for the assassin—fueled by outrage at insurers, whom many fault for blocking medical care.
—
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Secondly, Maryland was a border state with divided sympathies.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Kotb anchored a segment about the support Savannah Guthrie is receiving from fellow media figures like CBS Mornings‘ Gayle King and ABC World News Tonight‘s David Muir, both of whom were shown expressing their sympathy for Savannah Guthrie on their respective shows on rival networks.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Secondly, Maryland was a border state with divided sympathies.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Kotb anchored a segment about the support Savannah Guthrie is receiving from fellow media figures like CBS Mornings‘ Gayle King and ABC World News Tonight‘s David Muir, both of whom were shown expressing their sympathy for Savannah Guthrie on their respective shows on rival networks.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
-
Hicks’ message of compassion for the needy and to care for and cherish immigrants are in line with what Mamdani wants.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
And imagine a world with less evil and more compassion.—
Tara Sonenshine,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If someone fishes for attention, offer praise while naming your need for equal give and take, because harmony grows when kindness and clarity share space.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Clarity paired with kindness heals misunderstandings faster than silence.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your natural empathy can guide you through any ongoing storms.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Caring for a betta can help kids learn responsibility, routine, and empathy when adults guide and supervise the process.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Surgery, cancer, heart and lung diseases, age (over 40 years old) and family history are among risk factors for developing a pulmonary embolism, per Medline Plus.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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In January, lawyer Robert Pang said Lai suffered health issues including heart palpitations, high blood pressure and diabetes.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Therefore, Tagovailoa’s not deserving of hatred, or pity for what’s to come, which supposedly hasn’t been decided according to a chat the new regime had with season-ticket holders Thursday night.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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The ardor of contention, the pride of victory, the despair of success, the memory of past injuries and the fear of future dangers all contribute to inflame the mind and to silence the voice of pity.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The frustration of feeling unheard can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation that can increase risk of depression, Lang says.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
11 Feb. 2026
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The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry has warned that feelings of sadness and isolation are common among older adults, while depression remains widely underdiagnosed.—
Heather Madden,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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