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
But the court appeared sympathetic to the A’s central claims, striking the petition only because a separate, ongoing legal process in Los Angeles has forced the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to keep its existing policies on the books for the time being.
—
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Her audiences have been just as diverse, ranging from people who are sympathetic to immigrants and immigration, and others who believe many or all immigrants should be deported.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
That twist makes Frank both sympathetic and conniving, and Bale does a good job letting both aspects of his complex performance come through.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Her audiences have been just as diverse, ranging from people who are sympathetic to immigrants and immigration, and others who believe many or all immigrants should be deported.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
That twist makes Frank both sympathetic and conniving, and Bale does a good job letting both aspects of his complex performance come through.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
-
Mamdani’s move suggested a new emphasis on compassionate public policy.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Parental leave at full pay for all employees sounds compassionate in the abstract, but the actuarial math is brutal, effectively doubling the cost of teacher absences.—
Lance Christensen,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
McTeigue created subtle variations on the mask so that V could look slightly more sinister or benevolent depending on the lighting.—
Matthew Huff,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
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The primary seller gets to look benevolent, having kept prices low for fans.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The bias toward gold producers helped propel the Toronto index to record after record last year, but 2026’s dynamics haven’t been as kind.—
Melissa Shin,
Bloomberg,
19 Mar. 2026
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Bachelor Nation is no stranger to drama but the last twelve months have not been kind to the long-running ABC franchise.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jordan has always been thoughtful in his work, though, even as a youngster.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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Your natural initiative helps groups move again, while a brief pause keeps choices thoughtful instead of reactive.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The changes from the book involve simplifying the science and making Sandra Hüller’s earthbound mission chief a tad more humane.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
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The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project said in a Facebook post on Sunday that the organization was called to help after a house fire in Gustavus, Ohio, spurred a humane investigation.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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