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
Other commenters were less sympathetic.
—
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
More than 1,000 Bahraini citizens have sent messages of support to King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in recent weeks, praising a clampdown on those accused of being sympathetic to Iran.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 28 May 2026
Nichols had at times appeared sympathetic to that argument in oral arguments on May 14.
—Luc Cohen, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The Legislature’s supermajority Democrats are obviously sympathetic to the complaints flooding their offices, even to the extent of raising taxes.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
More than 1,000 Bahraini citizens have sent messages of support to King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in recent weeks, praising a clampdown on those accused of being sympathetic to Iran.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 28 May 2026
Nichols had at times appeared sympathetic to that argument in oral arguments on May 14.
—Luc Cohen, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The Legislature’s supermajority Democrats are obviously sympathetic to the complaints flooding their offices, even to the extent of raising taxes.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
-
Back in 2014, the company secured FDA authorization for a compassionate-use protocol allowing the Hemopurifier to be used in up to 20 patients with Ebola across 10 clinical sites in the United States.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 June 2026
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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,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
For Egyptians, crops would not grow without Horus and his benevolent eye shining down between the clouds.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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The overflow doctor had benevolent eyes and doughy cheeks, like fresh loaves of bread.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
She was known for kind words and good advice.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
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Focus on business and personal relationships, and choose to be with people who are kind, helpful and have your back.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
There was an eight-pillow menu to choose from, which was a thoughtful touch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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The in-room bar offered a thoughtful curation of Turkish snacks and treats, such as potato chips made from tubers grown in the surrounding Nevşehir region and a chocolate bar handmade by an Istanbul chocolatier.—
Anya von Bremzen,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Trap and Remove Them Using traps to catch the squirrels and relocate them is perfectly okay with the humane methods that act as a cage instead of hurting the little creature.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
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Ichiyō has already more than vindicated herself, appealing to the deepest and most humane of people’s emotions, depicting unflinchingly what lies true in their hearts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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