Definition of sympathetic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association
2a
: appropriate to one's mood, inclinations, or disposition
b
: marked by kindly or pleased appreciation
the biographer's approach was sympathetic
3
: given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion, friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions
a sympathetic gesture
4
: favorably inclined : approving
not sympathetic to the idea
5a
: showing empathy
b
: arousing sympathy or compassion
a sympathetic role in the play
6a
: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
b
: mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
7
: relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration
sympathetic
nounDefinition of sympathetic (Entry 2 of 2)
: a sympathetic structure
especially
: sympathetic nervous system
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Time Traveler for sympathetic
The first known use of sympathetic was in 1644
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