sympathetic
sim-puh-THET-ik
/ˌsɪm.pəˈθɛt.ɪk/
feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow, pity, or support for someone experiencing hardship
Focuses on expressing care, concern, or agreement from your own viewpoint toward someone else's plight.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'sympatheia', joining 'syn-' (together) with 'pathos' (feeling). In early science, it described physical affinity (like two musical strings vibrating together), before evolving into emotional alignment.
Word relationships
- supportive: Supportive emphasizes practical or moral encouragement, whereas sympathetic centers on shared emotion or pity.
- condoling: Condoling is restricted to expressing sorrow for a death or grave loss.
- unsympathetic: Lacking sympathy, warmth, or approval.
- hostile: Showing active opposition or enmity.
Commonly confused with
- empathetic: Sympathetic is feeling sorrow for someone; empathetic is feeling the emotion alongside them by stepping into their experience.
Word family
- sympathy (noun): feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune
- sympathize (verb): to feel or express sympathy
- sympathizer (noun): a person who agrees with or supports a cause
Collocations
- sympathetic ear
- sympathetic smile
- sympathetic attitude
- deeply sympathetic
Idioms & expressions
- lend a sympathetic ear
Example sentences
- "My manager was very sympathetic when I explained that my grandmother had taken ill." Personal support
- "The jury grew more sympathetic to the defense after hearing the witness's moving testimony." Social observation
Memory hook
SYM = Symphony (playing together). Sympathetic means your feelings resonate together with someone's sorrow. Resonating with another's sadness.
When not to use
Do not confuse with the French 'sympathique' or Spanish 'simpático', which mean 'nice' or 'likable' in general conversation.
Fun facts
- In medicine, the 'sympathetic nervous system' was named because doctors once believed it caused organs to act in emotional harmony with one another.
Related words
Explore more words
sympathize, sympathy, commiserate, pity, compassion, empathy
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