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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sympathy differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and attraction are common synonyms of sympathy. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

When might affinity be a better fit than sympathy?

The meanings of affinity and sympathy largely overlap; however, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When is attraction a more appropriate choice than sympathy?

In some situations, the words attraction and sympathy are roughly equivalent. However, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sympathy Trump certainly lacks admiration for the liberal order’s achievements and sympathy for its basic ethos. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 Many flooded the comments section with both sympathy and humor, relating the situation to their own pets. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 Interchangeable white male actors play the series’ leftist punching bags, veterans who got radicalized after their tours overseas; there’s no sympathy for their probable PTSD and feelings of abandonment and frustration for serving in forever wars. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025 But so far, Mr. Trump has not displayed much sympathy for the consequences of a fast-moving approach on global businesses and governments. Ana Swanson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
  • And everything with her is effortless compassion and empathy.
    C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope Aries (March 21 - April 19) Driven by compassion?
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond baseball, Art was known for his kindness, humor, and deep appreciation for the people around him.
    Daniel Brown, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
  • And for Katelyn, the internet's kindness has arrived exactly at the right time.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • True friendship is built on respect, empathy, and reciprocity—qualities missing in this exchange.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • And trying to start from a place of empathy of like, these are two parts of the same person who are both trapped in their circumstances in really different ways.
    Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • These basic concepts of freedom are at the very heart of Hamilton.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
  • At heart, the brand messaging is consistent: Individuals who work hard and win reward themselves with a Rolex.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Decades of Palestinian barbarism have eroded the pity reserves of a majority of the Israeli people.
    Uri Kurlianchik, National Review, 25 Feb. 2025
  • His is a kind of pathetic that inspires neither scorn nor pity, but a universal, sorrowful connection — his yearning for a different face is a consideration of what makes a human being legible and thus able to be understood, known, even loved.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sympathy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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