Definition of sympathetic
1
:existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association
2 a
: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
5 a
:showing empathy
b
:arousing sympathy or compassion
- a sympathetic role in the play
6 a
: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
