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 for every moment of genuine accountability journalism that reminds the public what the press is capable of, there seems to follow another viral post, another sympathetic profile of a terrorist’s grieving relatives, another story that mistakes activism for reporting.
—
Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
Willa eludes Lockjaw's goons with the help of Deandra (Regina Hall), a French 75 member, and finds refuge with the Sisters of the Brave Beaver, a convent of sympathetic (if exhausted) nuns.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
This suggests the possibility that Austen’s 1808 letter could be her sympathetic take on her sister’s treating period pain.
—Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
The president, who was in his last months, was by some accounts sympathetic to Bohr’s arguments, but when Winston Churchill heard them, he was horrified.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
Willa eludes Lockjaw's goons with the help of Deandra (Regina Hall), a French 75 member, and finds refuge with the Sisters of the Brave Beaver, a convent of sympathetic (if exhausted) nuns.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
This suggests the possibility that Austen’s 1808 letter could be her sympathetic take on her sister’s treating period pain.
—Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
The president, who was in his last months, was by some accounts sympathetic to Bohr’s arguments, but when Winston Churchill heard them, he was horrified.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Your chatter zone lights up as the life-giving Sun conjoins nebulous Neptune, blending insight with curiosity for thoughtful conversations and local plans.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
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Connecticut residents expect thoughtful policymaking, transparency, and respect for civic participation.—
State Sen. Tony Hwang,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Burke believed that manners and mores, customs and norms, codes of conduct, and beauty itself made life more humane.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
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According to Post-Tribune archives, 163 of those animals were picked up by owners, and 328 were adopted or sent to humane shelters.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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