sympathetic

adjective

ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce sympathetic (audio)
Definition of sympatheticnext
1
as in compassionate
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another a sympathetic smile needed a sympathetic listener who would understand her marital woes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others a sympathetic store manager who let us use the telephone sympathetic letters from supporters after the disappointing verdict

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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 sympathetic Against that backdrop, pupils' complaints that education funding shortfalls are endangering their futures have found a sympathetic audience. — Nicolas Garriga, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 But while Trump has tried to paint a rosy picture of the economy, Vice President JD Vance has been driving home a different message on the campaign trail -- appearing more sympathetic to the economic squeeze frustrated voters are facing. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Those sympathetic to the movement argue that’s not the case — and that there was never a binary choice at hand between progressive ideology and the ideas abundance advocates stand for. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Whether a reader comes away more sympathetic to him or not will depend on the person. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
  1. compassionate
  2. benevolent
  3. kind
  4. thoughtful
  5. humane
Adjective
  • The far left's open borders policy was not fair or compassionate.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Judges could sometimes consider changes to the law when deciding whether to grant compassionate release to inmates who had served at least 10 years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Larger-than-life Halloween celebrations rise up every October like the Great Pumpkin (or a benevolent spooky spirit or two) to captivate visitors with parades, caramel apples, costume contests, and more.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of benevolent
Adjective
  • The world has lost one of its brightest lights and kindest souls.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Please be kind and respectful of other customers lined up for gas.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • And Winnie-the-Pooh continues to sit, in a thoughtful sort of way, which is what very old bears in very nice glass cases mostly do.
    — STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • While the palette is narrow, thoughtful color moments are strategically placed through accents like carpets and textiles.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Nakamura demanded humane and fair treatment of the journalist and for Japanese officials to be allowed to have contact with him, the ministry said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • America needs an immigration system that is orderly, humane, and actually works.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of humane

Browse Nearby Words

symmetry
sympathetic
sympathetically
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Cite this Entry

“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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