sympathy

noun sym·pa·thy \ ˈsim-pə-thē \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of sympathy

plural sympathies

1 a : an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other

b : mutual or parallel susceptibility or a condition brought about by it

c : unity or harmony in action or effect

every part is in complete sympathy with the scheme as a whole
—Edwin Benson

2 a : inclination to think or feel alike : emotional or intellectual accord

in sympathy with their goals

b : feeling of loyalty : tendency to favor or support

republican sympathies

3 a : the act or capacity of entering into or sharing the feelings or interests of another

b : the feeling or mental state brought about by such sensitivity

have sympathy for the poor

4 : the correlation existing between bodies capable of communicating their vibrational energy to one another through some medium

See sympathy defined for English-language learners

See sympathy defined for kids

Examples of sympathy in a Sentence

She went to her best friend for sympathy.
Letters of sympathy were sent to the families of the victims.
My deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victims.
Our sympathies are with them.
There was no sympathy between them.

Recent Examples of sympathy from the Web

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blountcurryterraceoaks.com.

— orlando sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 4/15," 15 Apr. 2018
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Janet to the: Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation at: http://rizzo44.com/donate/ Online condolences may be made at: www.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 4/15," 15 Apr. 2018
The reader’s sympathy switches back and forth between Lucy and Alice as their Moroccan reunion moves inexorably toward another fatal crossroads.

— tom nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: She Might Be in Tangier," 30 Mar. 2018
In the trial, Ms. Salman’s lawyers have depicted her as a devoted parent, a woman with limited intelligence and a victim of cheating and abuse, a portrait that may play on the jury’s sympathies and pose a challenge for federal prosecutors.

— niraj chokshi, New York Times, "Pulse Gunman’s Father Was an F.B.I. Informer, Widow’s Lawyer Says," 26 Mar. 2018
Late last year, a report published by local antifa activists accused Bethany Sherman, a successful marijuana entrepreneur from Eugene, of having neo-Nazi sympathies.

— shane dixon kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Wells Fargo mortgage consultant out amid Charlottesville, white nationalist allegations," 19 Mar. 2018
To his credit, there were always signs that Trump’s sympathies lay beyond the working class.

— david adler, New Republic, "Right-Wing Populism Can’t Fix Globalization," 21 Feb. 2018
In Macerata, a city in central Italy where a week ago a far-right gunman with neo-Nazi sympathies wounded six African migrants in a drive-by shooting, there were fears the march could trigger violence.

— frances d'emilio, The Seattle Times, "Marchers protest racism in Italy after Africans are shot," 10 Feb. 2018
Where is your heart, where is your sense of sympathy.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Victims of Douglas shooting still on alum Anthony Rizzo’s mind: ‘I honor them every day’ | Miami Herald," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sympathy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sympathy

Latin sympathia, from Greek sympatheia, from sympathēs having common feelings, sympathetic, from syn- + pathos feelings, emotion, experience — more at pathos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1579

See Words from the same year

sympathy Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of sympathy

attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together. attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

- felt an attraction to danger

affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

- an affinity for mathematics

sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

- two minds in sympathy

pity, compassion, commiseration, condolence, sympathy mean the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another. pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

- felt pity for the captives

compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

- treats the homeless with great compassion

commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

- murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

- expressed their condolences to the widow

sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

- went to my best friend for sympathy
- in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

SYMPATHY Defined for English Language Learners

sympathy

noun

Definition of sympathy for English Language Learners

: the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else's trouble, grief, misfortune, etc. : a sympathetic feeling
: a feeling of support for something
: a state in which different people share the same interests, opinions, goals, etc.