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
Or finding more to be sympathetic about with Vladimir Putin than with Volodymyr Zelensky.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Hansen explained the situation to the 24-Hour Fitness staff, who were sympathetic.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Josephson also offered Epstein a sympathetic ear.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
But even the film’s sympathetic viewers have to admit this is a stretch, akin to grouping Milli Vanilli with Prince.
—Elizabeth Spiers, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Hansen explained the situation to the 24-Hour Fitness staff, who were sympathetic.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Josephson also offered Epstein a sympathetic ear.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
But even the film’s sympathetic viewers have to admit this is a stretch, akin to grouping Milli Vanilli with Prince.
—Elizabeth Spiers, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
-
Depictions of such raw humanity have the capacity to shape us into more compassionate community members, more thoughtful voters and more indignant seekers of justice.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
On the surface, this may sound compassionate.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Thank you, too, to the dozens of people who wrote in with kind corrections.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Vargo also recalled a kind woman who had a gentle spirit.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And thanks to a thoughtful renovation, this particular farmhouse is ready to begin its next chapter.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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In his view, growth means extending the reach of a thoughtful approach while preserving the personal relationships that define his work.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bernstein, in fact, opened the Kennedy Center with Mass, which was not an actual Catholic service but a musical-theater performance about one, with a humane hippie-friendly priest known as the Celebrant at its heart.—
Christopher Robbins,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
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While the company continues to refine its technology, its broader vision remains focused on building systems that are humane in intent, measured in execution, and sustainable in practice.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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