sym·pa·thet·ic
ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 
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
: a sympathetic structure
especially
: sympathetic nervous system
Examples of sympathetic in a Sentence
Adjective
He received much help from sympathetic friends.
I didn't find the hero in the movie very sympathetic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Just as soon as cynical Cyrus vacates the passenger seat, Lee finds someone more sympathetic to ride shotgun.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Almost immediately, members of the public sympathetic to the defendant touted Tamura's actions as a laudable continuation of the defendant's philosophy.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
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Adjective
Its depictions of dancing devils and witches’ sabbaths are supposed to scare viewers straight, but writer-director Benjamin Christensen is also sympathetic towards the plight of medieval women persecuted for witchcraft.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Just as soon as cynical Cyrus vacates the passenger seat, Lee finds someone more sympathetic to ride shotgun.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Almost immediately, members of the public sympathetic to the defendant touted Tamura’s actions as a laudable continuation of the defendant’s philosophy.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Almost immediately, members of the public sympathetic to the defendant touted Tamura's actions as a laudable continuation of the defendant's philosophy.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sympathetic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sympathetic
1 of 2 adjective
sym·pa·thet·ic
ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik
1
: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
2
: mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
sympathetic
2 of 2 noun
: a sympathetic structure
especially
: sympathetic nervous system
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