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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sympathy differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and attraction are common synonyms of sympathy. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

When might affinity be a better fit than sympathy?

The meanings of affinity and sympathy largely overlap; however, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When is attraction a more appropriate choice than sympathy?

In some situations, the words attraction and sympathy are roughly equivalent. However, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

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 sympathy Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss issued a statement expressing sympathy to the shooting victim and wishing her a successful recovery. Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025 Shares of energy stocks Vistra Energy and NRG Energy rose 5% and 2%, respectively, in sympathy with the news. Pia Singh, CNBC, 3 June 2025 Infused with equal parts outrage and sympathy, the song is a must-listen in these trying times. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025 Alternately, his tone was infused with contempt, sarcasm or genuine sympathy for his subjects who had been victims of brutality unleashed by the Gestapo or secret police of the Vichy regime. David Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
  • The lessons of compassion and resilience in the book will guide her path forward.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • The following are steps that managers and supervisors can take to promote compassion, create psychological safety, and show solidarity during these challenging times.
    Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, the designer’s intentions are based on high ideals — kindness, tolerance and humility among them — even if his methods can sometime shock.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
  • Her courage, kindness, and determination touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • An individual who lacks empathy may excel at making hard choices like laying off staff or shutting down unprofitable teams.
    Shawn Cole, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Now at the risk of stating the obvious, that feels important; that scene contrasts with the scene with the doctor, the scene with HR, where there's zero empathy whatsoever.
    Andy Crump, Time, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Roth went right for Rubin’s heart, invoking the Paul Skenes Topps MLB Debut Patch autographed one-of-one card that famously sold for $1.11 million to Dick’s Sporting Goods in March.
    Larry Holder, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Rather than solely leaning on designing for moneyed families and those with means to drop thousands on new pieces each season, the designer opts to create from his heart.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • This momentary pause, this saving interruption of the headlong, breathless trajectory of rape or murder, admitted a kind of compassion, pity, even tenderness, halting injustice in its tracks.
    Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • So far, the Ioniq 9 cannot brew a Starbucks coffee at your command, which is a pity, but one never knows what the future brings.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sympathy

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