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
The dissenting conservatives—Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito—who were sympathetic to major questions in its prior applications are more credulous this time.
—
Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Latvia and Lithuania, which share a border with Russia, are becoming more sympathetic to the idea as well.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Courtenay, as a caregiver with deeply sympathetic layers, exhibits frustration and compassion in equal measure, blending the obstinate protestations of a man in his twilight years with the lifelong tenderness and wisdom that often accompany them.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Renal denervation is a minimally invasive therapy that reduces overactive sympathetic nerve activity around the renal arteries.
—Memorialcare, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Latvia and Lithuania, which share a border with Russia, are becoming more sympathetic to the idea as well.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Courtenay, as a caregiver with deeply sympathetic layers, exhibits frustration and compassion in equal measure, blending the obstinate protestations of a man in his twilight years with the lifelong tenderness and wisdom that often accompany them.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Renal denervation is a minimally invasive therapy that reduces overactive sympathetic nerve activity around the renal arteries.
—Memorialcare, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
-
Trump’s braggadocio State of the Union message about our surging economy and his compassionate ICE raids was the icing on the Circassian cake.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At a slow, quiet and benevolent pace that blurred the lines between reality and fiction.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
The game has cultivated a fanbase that is generally kind and patient, increasingly rare qualities in the gaming world, and online more broadly.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Partnership thrives when messages stay kind, even as mental Mercury goes retrograde in your 7th House of Partnerships.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rooms can accommodate families with connecting layouts, and a thoughtful program for Little Stars includes boba tea-making classes, Hakka umbrella-painting workshops, and various Taiwanese cooking classes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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The most elaborate of these suites spanned the top floors of houses and were filled with thoughtful decorations and toys.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
No one wants to remain on the streets if an appropriate, humane option is available.—
Norman Siegel,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Baltimore has an opportunity to meet this challenge and become a trailblazer by introducing a long-overdue solution that’s been needed and is humane.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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