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
Relevance
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
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
McCartney’s shattered portrayal, blurring the line between victim and violator, elicits our sympathy without ever asking for it.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
That was among the pope’s greatest strengths, Lori thinks — his seemingly limitless supply of sympathy and concern for people who were hurting.
—Glynis Kazanjian, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
Her passing is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
And some had sympathy for what seemed like his intuitive habit, urging the creator and others in the comments to avoid judgement based on his past.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
That was among the pope’s greatest strengths, Lori thinks — his seemingly limitless supply of sympathy and concern for people who were hurting.
—Glynis Kazanjian, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
Her passing is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
And some had sympathy for what seemed like his intuitive habit, urging the creator and others in the comments to avoid judgement based on his past.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
-
Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes with compassion can be extremely helpful.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Weinstein writes this unholy trinity of Rabbis with compassion and levity.—
Leah Abrams,
Them.,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
At the time of publication, the video of her efforts has been watched over 228,000 times, with users flocking to offer words of kindness in the comments section.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Becky’s independence, kindness, determination and beauty will live on through her forever.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
My empathy was with the innocent football fans over any aggressor.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Look for those who lead with empathy but think like operators—independent, resourceful and invested in outcomes.—
Paulina Wierzbicka,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Yellows 1, 2, 3 and 4: Were all banned in 1959 after they were potentially linked to lesions and heart damage.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
For a lot of kids, playing FNF at its peak—before development stalled, before mods went awry—seems to hold a special place in their hearts.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
If you're met with pity about your child's autism, don't be afraid to correct your colleagues politely.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Unfortunately, Brit drags some residuals of her pity party into the episode while car shopping with her husband in a scene devoid of any chemistry, then at dinner with Drew.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share