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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sympathetic
Santana’s a thoughtful protagonist, not given to taking foolish chances, and Cruz is a sympathetic listener who’s learning the intersection of police politics and crime from Santana.
—
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
The Supreme Court appeared sympathetic to the parents during oral arguments in March and seemed inclined to require that public schools give parents the ability to opt their children out of instruction featuring the books.
—Melissa Quinn
june 9, CBS News, 9 June 2025
Two years ago, a tragedy caught the world’s attention … but not in a particularly sympathetic way.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 June 2025
Conservative justices appear sympathetic to the administration's stance.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
The Supreme Court appeared sympathetic to the parents during oral arguments in March and seemed inclined to require that public schools give parents the ability to opt their children out of instruction featuring the books.
—Melissa Quinn
june 9, CBS News, 9 June 2025
Two years ago, a tragedy caught the world’s attention … but not in a particularly sympathetic way.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 June 2025
Conservative justices appear sympathetic to the administration's stance.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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This, for me, is a viable and compassionate way of supporting your people — those, like Griselda best said, who are the ones consuming your music and buying your concert ticket.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
20 June 2025
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Through his characters, Fellowes communicates his approval for a more compassionate and inclusive upper crust.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The boys play benevolent Nathan Fielder types helping their friend Karli rehearse an upcoming appearance on the popular social-media show SubwayTakes; the prompts she’s presented with in their VR simulator offer a perfect place to nest jokes.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
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Murals across Iran feature his seemingly benevolent white-bearded face.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Much like his character, Boyce is mild-mannered, kind and effortlessly funny.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Despite the criticism, Tonn remains grateful for the support the video has brought to the dog's case, and the majority of kind comments.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
His career consists of multitudes: the comedic if not brash hip-hop radio host forged by the shock-jock era, and the thoughtful political commentator, able to articulate what even his critics would describe as a pretty nuanced perspective on the world.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
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It's been quite a year so this was really such a thoughtful gesture and seriously made my month.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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In Pip Adam’s extraordinary, humane book Audition, the stars are both a dystopian place and a site of uncharted possibility.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
21 June 2025
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After relying on his instincts, Cloudy was among the cats captured and brought to the shelter for care, the humane society wrote in a Facebook post.—
Simone Jasper,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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