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
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Recent Examples of sympathy
Other chip names, such as Sandisk, Western Digital, Lam Research, KLA and Applied Materials all rose in sympathy.
—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
There was that ever-present sense of hope combined with her dedication to being there, to being in the moment, that obviated an overabundance of sympathy.
—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2026
There's even some sympathy for the vengeful pirate character.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
With ready sympathy and the best will in the world, we are forced to complete the magic in our minds.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
There was that ever-present sense of hope combined with her dedication to being there, to being in the moment, that obviated an overabundance of sympathy.
—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2026
There's even some sympathy for the vengeful pirate character.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
With ready sympathy and the best will in the world, we are forced to complete the magic in our minds.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
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These displays of simulated compassion can evolve into romance scams or attempts to defraud beneficiaries out of inheritance money.
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Practicing self-compassion – that is, offering yourself warmth, nonjudgment and understanding during stressful and challenging moments – can reduce anxiety, depression and internalized stigma.
Noun
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So to find herself so far from Alicent’s kindness and affirmation is really stark.
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The whole group went to the Haiti-Morocco game this weekend, closing a loop of kindness that extended beyond Thompson’s original gesture.
Noun
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It's called cognitive empathy, not to be confused with emotional empathy.
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In a field where founders are taught to move fast and break things, Gen Z is taking a new approach, engineering with empathy.
Noun
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Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
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Let heart guide tone, and your message lands.
Noun
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That is truly a pity because this brilliant thinker revolutionized both mathematics and physics.
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The landlord took them out for a McDonald’s pity meal at the end.
Noun
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Pets can have a positive impact on our mood by reducing feelings of anxiety and sadness.
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And second, showing up alone can create some feelings of anxiety even for the most outgoing people.
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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