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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Recent Examples of sympathetic
After five episodes, Dune: Prophecy hasn’t set up any particularly sympathetic characters or established a line between good and evil, even a fuzzy one.
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Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024
Gabbard — who served in the House for eight years as a Democrat — has faced criticism for remarks she’s made about the Russia-Ukraine war that were sympathetic to Moscow and echoed by Russian state news, which has praised her nomination.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
There are good, sympathetic performers from the supporting cast, among them Saskia Reeves (Slow Horses) as Ronan's mother.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
In a wooded area outside the prison’s main gates, about 100 intellectual celebrities, sympathetic journalists, and general well-wishers had gathered in solidarity.
—Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sympathetic 
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024
Gabbard — who served in the House for eight years as a Democrat — has faced criticism for remarks she’s made about the Russia-Ukraine war that were sympathetic to Moscow and echoed by Russian state news, which has praised her nomination.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
There are good, sympathetic performers from the supporting cast, among them Saskia Reeves (Slow Horses) as Ronan's mother.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
In a wooded area outside the prison’s main gates, about 100 intellectual celebrities, sympathetic journalists, and general well-wishers had gathered in solidarity.
—Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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Antwon was known for his sense of humor and kind heart, always lifting others up, while Mariana was an incredible soul—compassionate, driven, and full of dreams for her future.Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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He is known for his extraordinary and compassionate delivery of patient care and his volunteerism.The Hill, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Ensure that organizational leadership has a deep understanding of sexism—both hostile and benevolent—and genderwashing.Susan Madsen, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Online course listings enable faculty, students, and administrators to see which classes fill up the fastest and, by implication, which professors are perceived as benevolent and easygoing.Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Earlier this month the singer was spotted cheering on her beau with her parents, Andrea and Scott Swift, and was praised for her kind interaction with fans.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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During this stressful season, Melissa asks people to be kind.Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Who wouldn’t be crazy in love after receiving gifts that balanced the beautifully thoughtful with the extremely expensive?Maura Johnston, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
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By moving beyond consensus, leaders can inspire more thoughtful, informed decisions that drive better outcomes. 2.Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Turner's humane education lesson, featuring two live animals, has become a tradition in the Franklin community over the years.Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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While the sheer number of executions in the U.S. has slowed to a trickle, the process has become less humane.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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