1
as in compassion
sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune
since losing her own brother to lung disease, the nurse has had greater sympathy for families going through the same agony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kindness
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune
the least you could do is have some sympathy for me if I have to stay home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sympathy
The company that offers happy birthday wishes, sympathy, congratulations and other messages with fruit, some of it dipped in chocolate, now has 800 locations in North America.
—
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Just Out: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your precious baby boy.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
The singer, 40, took to Instagram on Monday, Aug. 4, to thank fans for their sympathy in the wake of the Black Sabbath icon's death.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025
Any sympathy for the other position is akin to treason.
—Lev Nachman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Just Out: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your precious baby boy.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
The singer, 40, took to Instagram on Monday, Aug. 4, to thank fans for their sympathy in the wake of the Black Sabbath icon's death.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025
Any sympathy for the other position is akin to treason.
—Lev Nachman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
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Zoo officials said the 160-pound gorilla, who had received training on how to be a good mother, appeared to act out of maternal compassion for the human child.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
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Amid a series of alarming tweets in 2020, Kardashian spoke out about West's health, asking for compassion.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These companies show that kindness and innovation go hand in hand.—
Nav Thethi,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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While the internet isn't necessarily known for its joy and kindness, Wylie has been blown away by the response since sharing the video on TikTok.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the age of agentic AI, where models act with increasing autonomy, the companies that thrive will be those that remember the obvious truth often overlooked in the race for progress: intelligence may drive the engine, but empathy keeps people in the driver’s seat.—
Victor Dey,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Other board members also expressed empathy for community members who spoke during recent public comment periods, many expressing concerns about district administrators creating a toxic workplace and criticizing the recent hiring of Tremaine Harris as assistant principal of the Century Junior High.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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According to the grandmother, who described herself as a single mom raising two sons alone, the accident marked the second time that her grandson has been hospitalized in less than a month — adding that her heart is breaking because of the pain the boy has endured.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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By the time the credits rolled my heart was ragged.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Edgecombe stayed locked in defensively, ran the floor, and never hung his head or held a pity party before getting back down the court.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Elio’s personality is defined mostly by pity in the first act, as the poor kid’s insecurities turn potential new friends — Bryce (Dylan Gilmer) and Caleb (Jake Getman), who express an interest in joining his ham radio club — into bullies.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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