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
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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
Fitting with a broader pattern of Gazans being seen as undeserving of sympathy, our survey found that more than a third of Israelis believe that more than 90% of Palestinians in Gaza support Hamas.
—
Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
As for your son himself, surely he is grown-up and intelligent enough to have sympathy for the family’s financial constraints, rather than resentment.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
President Donald Trump expressed his sympathies to former President Joe Biden regarding the news of his prostate cancer diagnosis.
—Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
The movie does show sympathy for the increasingly mainstream view that the sense of control that dominated the COVID years went too far.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
As for your son himself, surely he is grown-up and intelligent enough to have sympathy for the family’s financial constraints, rather than resentment.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
President Donald Trump expressed his sympathies to former President Joe Biden regarding the news of his prostate cancer diagnosis.
—Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
The movie does show sympathy for the increasingly mainstream view that the sense of control that dominated the COVID years went too far.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
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Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
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What makes the company stand out, according to its owners, is a blend of artistry, technology and sense of compassion in the grieving process.—
Jessie Schiewe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Researchers explored how prosocial behavior, acts of genuine kindness and concern for others influences perceptions of physical attractiveness.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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But Mike throws the man’s kindness back in his face by knocking him out and lifting his watch and wallet.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Epictetus’s and Nietzsche’s worries about pity or compassion carry over to empathy.—
Colin Marshall,
The Conversation,
22 May 2025
-
None of this has anything to do with how great Fahy is, giving expertly wry line-readings and selling empathy for a character whose reliably bad decisions don’t always feel clearly motivated.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
All of our hearts are broken … our sadness is gut wrenching - there’s a hole, something is missing.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2025
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Pregnant women are at high risk for severe disease and studies show that the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth and pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, blood clots, heart and kidney damage and hypertension are much higher among women who develop COVID-19 during pregnancy.—
Karen Weintraub,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Noun
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What a beautiful thing about the human species: A creature that actually seeks to feel the stresses of other lives, to feel pity, and hope and sorrow for — well, forgive me, dear friend — the fate of others.—
Samantha Dunn,
Oc Register,
19 May 2025
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As Edith slowly falls in love, Anton struggles to understand if his feelings for her are genuine or merely out of pity, while the ominous threat of the first World War looms over them.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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