sympathetic

1 of 2

adjective

sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 

1

: existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association

2

a

: appropriate to one's mood, inclinations, or disposition

b

: marked by kindly or pleased appreciation

the biographer's approach was sympathetic

3

: given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion, friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions

a sympathetic gesture

4

: favorably inclined : approving

not sympathetic to the idea

5

a

: showing empathy

b

: arousing sympathy or compassion

a sympathetic role in the play

6

a

: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system

b

: mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves

7

: relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration

sympathetically

ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

sympathetic

2 of 2

noun

: a sympathetic structure

especially : sympathetic nervous system

Synonyms

Adjective

• commiserative
• compassionate
• empathetic
• empathic
• humane
• understanding

Examples of sympathetic in a Sentence

Adjective

He received much help from sympathetic friends.

I didn't find the hero in the movie very sympathetic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The barricaded building is surrounded by sympathetic demonstrators, who have filled the quad with messages calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. —Paul Kitagaki Jr., Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024

For more, check out David Stenn’s superb, deeply sympathetic biography Clara Bow: Runnin’ Wild. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin sympatheticus, from Latin sympathia sympathy

First Known Use

Adjective

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sympathetic

• reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• sympathetic magic
• sympathetic nervous system
• sympathetic strike
• sympathetic vibration

Kids Definition

sympathetic

adjective

sym·​pa·​thet·​ic

ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik

1

: fitting one's mood or disposition

a sympathetic atmosphere for quiet study

2

a

: feeling favorable

sympathetic with their aims

b

: marked by kindly or pleased appreciation

a sympathetic study of modern music

3

: given to or arising from sympathy and sensitivity to others

a sympathetic personality

4

a

: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system

b

: controlled by or acting on the sympathetic nerves

sympathetically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

sympathetic

1 of 2 adjective

sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik 

1

: of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system

2

: mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves

sympathetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

sympathetic

2 of 2 noun

: a sympathetic structure

especially : sympathetic nervous system