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
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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
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Recent Examples of sympathetic
Stepping into a room that hot triggers an immediate stress reaction, activating the sympathetic arm of the nervous system, the fight-or-flight response.
—
Will Stone, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
The clash was notable because even officials who are viewed as sympathetic to the administration — including Cuffari — had begun speaking publicly and to lawmakers about concerns with Noem's leadership.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Or Hezbollah could wait for parliamentary elections, scheduled for May, in the hope that more sympathetic leaders will be voted in (although the President described the ban on Hezbollah’s military activities as irreversible, and elections may be delayed).
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Appeals court judges seemed sympathetic to the free speech argument during oral arguments in January.
—Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Will Stone, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
The clash was notable because even officials who are viewed as sympathetic to the administration — including Cuffari — had begun speaking publicly and to lawmakers about concerns with Noem's leadership.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Or Hezbollah could wait for parliamentary elections, scheduled for May, in the hope that more sympathetic leaders will be voted in (although the President described the ban on Hezbollah’s military activities as irreversible, and elections may be delayed).
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Appeals court judges seemed sympathetic to the free speech argument during oral arguments in January.
—Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
-
Peter’s complicated, compassionate personality continues to drive the series.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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His sense of humor was unmatched, and his ability to connect with anyone was a testament to his compassionate soul.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The primary seller gets to look benevolent, having kept prices low for fans.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
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While the kind of protection offered by Herakles or the Hulk comes with the risk of uncontrollable rage and indiscriminate destruction, and Oedipus seems more of a supervillain than a benevolent guardian, there was a kind of Greek hero that was seen as a defender.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Annually, on Mogen and Kernodle’s birthdays — designated Maddie May Day and Xanapalooza — the foundation encourages people to be kind to others and spend time with loved ones, in remembrance.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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Pai will play Henry, the head groundskeeper of Hartford Park, who is kind, charming, and knowledgeable about plants.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Morning conversations favor clear requests and thoughtful answers.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
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During a recent trip to Tokyo, my husband and I—both new to the city—checked into a room with a comfortable wall-to-wall couch, a king-size bed with city views, and thoughtful details like a lovely tea set and a deep soaking tub.—
Lois Alter Mark,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another, Proposition 2, says Texans should support humane, dignified immigration policies and pathways to citizenship.—
From Staff Reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The next two hours, presented in more dramatic terms, are humane, but not in a way that quite reaches poignancy.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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