sympathetically

adverb

Definition of sympatheticallynext
as in compassionately

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sympathetically Many locals have come to view him sympathetically, as an addict drawn back into a life of drug abuse, that also happened to include high-level drug dealing. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026 Variety reported that Artificial recently received positive feedback during test screenings, and claimed that Altman and Musk are portrayed less sympathetically than other figures in the film. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026 The Audacity is better when dealing more sympathetically with teenagers like Tess, who’s grown tired of rebellion as the answer to her discontent. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 May 2026 But the scenes she’s devised for these sympathetically difficult oddballs go nowhere. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 The boys’ mother Katherine (Nia Long) gazes sympathetically from the sidelines but doesn’t dare speak up. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Apr. 2026 Two of the emails to potential witnesses were the subjects of email strings associated with bloggers who have written extensively and sympathetically about Boyne. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Feb. 2026 But Thompson ends her story with Cabey and his mother, while Williams closes with an interview with Goetz, who is allowed to emerge, if not exactly sympathetically, then at least as a three-dimensional figure. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026 When Mehta appeared on camera bouncing her newborn in her lap, that professor started laughing sympathetically. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetically
  1. compassionately
  2. sweetly
  3. respectfully
  4. humanely
  5. politely
  6. deferentially
  7. sensibly
Adverb
  • We are taxed, compassionately pass bills, paid for with Bonds, attend black tie dinners, and hear about 10-year plans after 10-year plans to solve the problem Sacramento is creating.
    — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • In this story the problem is treated intimately and compassionately by a woman who knows all about it.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of compassionately
Adverb
  • Every room has its little balcony and looks out over the blue sea to the islands of the sirens from which those ladies sang so sweetly.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Rota’s gorgeous score swells sweetly as this affair is sketched, but Mario — older and wiser, to quote the Rodgers and Hammerstein song — has his doubts about a man who seems to him like a cad.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweetly
Adverb
  • While the traditional Swedish version, called a prinsesstårta, typically features a layer of raspberry jam and a bright green marzipan coating, Sant Ambroeus’ iteration is respectfully remixed for a more metropolitan crowd.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Soon There is an art to respectfully negotiating on prices at estate sales, Robbins explains, and asking for a discount too soon isn’t the way to go.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
Definition of respectfully
Adverb
  • But the images of young Moroccans marching up the shoreline, ditching inflatable tubes along their way, have forced Europe into a debate over how countries can manage migration humanely while maintaining control of their borders.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In another effort to curb the invasive species, Florida hosts an annual python challenge, where hunters can sign up to humanely kill the reptiles to stop the species’ spread throughout the state.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of humanely
Adverb
  • This could leave you feeling confused whether you’re being praised, tested or politely managed.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The woman usually introduces herself politely and grabs a seat to listen to the whistle of hot water pouring from a thermos.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Everybody is behaving sensibly inside a structure that punishes sense.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • William Saliba — France/Arsenal (position unchanged) Gave up almost nothing to his Arsenal team-mate Gyokeres as France nonchalantly dismissed Sweden, dominating in the air and on the floor while distributing the ball sensibly.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of sensibly

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Cite this Entry

“Sympathetically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetically. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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