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 And Aparna Nancherla warms up the ice-cold cast of characters as Matt and Jake’s sympathetic but powerless buddy in HR. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Rhaenyra has become far less sympathetic, while Aegon, for all his many flaws, has moved in the opposite direction. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The show’s depiction of Hugh as a family man has been much more sympathetic than the book’s description of him as a power-hungry brute. — James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 The courts were not sympathetic to this claim, including in cases where judges examined a classified report that the DoD was using to justify blocking offshore wind construction. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
  1. compassionate
  2. benevolent
  3. kind
  4. thoughtful
  5. humane
Adjective
  • Clancy was an attentive mother and a compassionate nurse, said Margaret Hamp, a nurse who worked with the defendant.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • His friends in Hawaii remember him as thoughtful, kind, and compassionate.
    — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Supporters of the legislation will argue that their intentions were benevolent and kind.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • This is applicable in equal measures to leaders ordinarily deemed benevolent, and those considered destructive.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of benevolent
Adjective
  • At a panel discussion in June at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, Marnik explained that her own change of heart about vaccination occurred only after many talks with kind, attentive friends and professors over four years of college.
    — Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Supporters of the legislation will argue that their intentions were benevolent and kind.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • Founded in 2009, the group has bloomed into a small empire—we’re talking nearly 70 of the South’s favorite restaurants, hotels, bars, and cafes, plus another dozen or so in development—with thoughtful intention.
    — Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This means clear standards, thoughtful planning and investment in new energy generation and transmission.
    — Frances Townsend, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Rio Blanco County Commissioner Callie Scritchfield, however, said captivity is more humane than allowing the horses to roam free.
    — Stina Sieg, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection investigated Ridglan between 2024 and 2025 and identified 494 violations, with several pertaining to dogs being handled in a practicable and humane manner.
    — Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 18 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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