1
as in compassionate
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another
a sympathetic smile needed a sympathetic listener who would understand her marital woes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a sympathetic store manager who let us use the telephone sympathetic letters from supporters after the disappointing verdict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sympathetic
In a world with nationwide injunctions, plaintiffs can shop around for the one judge in America who is most likely to be sympathetic to their cause, and potentially secure a court order that no other judge would hand down.
—
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 9 May 2025
David Lehman, a lobbyist for the Idaho Association of Community Providers, which represents health organizations that have opposed FGA bills, said Idaho illustrates how FGA works with sympathetic lawmakers in conservative states to gain more ground.
—Katheryn Houghton, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Ellen won’t even talk to June, but Moira is more sympathetic.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2025
The Republican claim that Gray or the other recent Republican target, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, are in any way sympathetic to child predators is completely false.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 9 May 2025
David Lehman, a lobbyist for the Idaho Association of Community Providers, which represents health organizations that have opposed FGA bills, said Idaho illustrates how FGA works with sympathetic lawmakers in conservative states to gain more ground.
—Katheryn Houghton, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Ellen won’t even talk to June, but Moira is more sympathetic.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2025
The Republican claim that Gray or the other recent Republican target, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, are in any way sympathetic to child predators is completely false.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
-
For 55 years, the characters of Sesame Street have taught us how to count, how to read — and as importantly, how to be kind, empathic and compassionate.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Here’s to more humane, efficient and compassionate processes in the future crafted by politicians on both sides of the aisle.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
This allowed people to keep believing in a fundamentally benevolent government despite their experiences.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
There is, equally, a certain childish hope that Vuong’s reader will approach him with the benevolent incomprehension of a maternal figure.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Before his latest movie premiered, festival chief Thierry Frémaux shared some kind words with the crowd about Washington.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2025
-
In the workplace, how kind (or not critical) one is to themself is likely not the first place managers will jump to when thinking about how to improve safety processes at work.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Tesfaye’s bold and electric presence onstage and onscreen is an intriguing counterpoint to the thoughtful and soft-spoken man who sits for a chat about his movie.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Practice, Practice, Practice One of the ways that the greats prepare themselves for the biggest moments is through thoughtful preparation.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
The humane society believes he may have been born blind.—
Simone Jasper,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2025
-
The all-white pup has spent 281 days — much of her short life — in the humane society’s care, shelter officials said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share