SYMPATHY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sympathy

noun

Definition of sympathy next

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

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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

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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