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
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Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch of humor.—
R Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
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Lawmakers can do their part by prohibiting intentional vehicular killing of wildlife, which would go a long way toward creating a legacy of just and compassionate wildlife stewardship.—
Wendy Keefover,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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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Ice cream, water fights, kind people who aren’t weird and don’t smell unusual.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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No large production crew of the kind traditional late-night programs require.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
12 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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The mom of five said the humane society told her -- and shared in a Facebook post -- that June had been spotted by someone at a local monument company in Needham, about 15 minutes and less than 10 miles from her home, and had brought him into the shelter.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Check your local humane shelter or reputable breeders in your area.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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