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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sympathetic
The film’s simple, sympathetic decency lends it powerful authenticity — Russell in real life lost his hands while in the Army — that articulated the trauma of PTSD before it was widely understood.
12.
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Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
The worry was that, in 2025, with a new regime in the White House and a sympathetic Congress, the struggles of the previous year could be not an anomaly but a template for the time ahead.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Zelenskyy on Saturday arrived in London to meet with sympathetic European allies.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2025
White published his investigation in several sympathetic white outlets like the Chicago Daily News and the Nation and, of course, The Crisis and the Defender.
—Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made By History, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
The worry was that, in 2025, with a new regime in the White House and a sympathetic Congress, the struggles of the previous year could be not an anomaly but a template for the time ahead.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Zelenskyy on Saturday arrived in London to meet with sympathetic European allies.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2025
White published his investigation in several sympathetic white outlets like the Chicago Daily News and the Nation and, of course, The Crisis and the Defender.
—Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made By History, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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Similarly, Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, has emphasized the need for a system that prioritizes both effective treatment and compassionate care.—
Alan M. Langlieb,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2025
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During Trump's first term, Johnson successfully advocated for dozens of commutations, pardons, and compassionate releases.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Secret Societies and the Fight for Black Freedom Dating to the pre-Revolutionary era, mutual aid and benevolent societies supported Black Americans and the fight for civil rights and justice.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Feb. 2025
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Steves, with his impeccable recommendations, sensible budgeting options, and gently corny prose style, has served as the benevolent fairy godfather on more than one trip for me.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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When the Mickeys refuse to attack, and instead opt to communicate with the native creatures, their efforts to broker peace spark a rebellion amongst the humans, leading to Marshall’s death, the demolition of the printer, and a kinder, more cooperative future for the faraway community.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
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There’s an energy throughout that feels like the spirit of Dolly Parton herself: Warm, kind, hopeful, determined.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For Gabrielle, the experience was a reminder of the profound impact of small, thoughtful gestures.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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By combining modern tools like AI with a thoughtful approach to skills and criteria, organizations can move beyond surface-level signals and discover hidden talent.—
Ishan Gupta,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The most common sources for acquiring dogs include breeders (34%), animal shelters/humane societies (23%), friends/relatives (20%), private parties (12%), and strays (6%).—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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The theory was that a smaller facility was more humane.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to sympathetic
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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