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
Relevance
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
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 sympathy
Frank Marcum’s posts prompted replies from residents across the region expressing sympathy and reporting their own coyote sightings.
—
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2025
But for anyone staging The Last Five Years, questions still hover around how to balance and complicate the musical’s sympathies.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Fear of this slight, young woman who has elected to come in a show of sympathy and respect.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
One of the night’s most resonant moments came as Clooney’s Murrow, in one of the actor’s long, commanding monologues, debunked accusations of communist sympathies tied to a book dedication from British Socialist Harold Laski.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2025
But for anyone staging The Last Five Years, questions still hover around how to balance and complicate the musical’s sympathies.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Fear of this slight, young woman who has elected to come in a show of sympathy and respect.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
One of the night’s most resonant moments came as Clooney’s Murrow, in one of the actor’s long, commanding monologues, debunked accusations of communist sympathies tied to a book dedication from British Socialist Harold Laski.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
-
Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes with compassion can be extremely helpful.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
While Mateo's future had once been uncertain, his viral story has shown the difference compassion can make.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His unwavering faith, kindness, and dedication to serving others have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Sure, the product is important, but kindness—the opposite of rudeness and apathy—is what keeps them coming back.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That shows the family is teaching empathy, mutual respect, and emotional intelligence—precisely the opposite of what the uncle accused them of lacking.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But empathy without curiosity can lead to misalignment.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
He’s done so much for the organization, given his heart and soul to it and building a culture that’s respected.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Madison Square Garden buzzed with anticipation, hearts warmed by nostalgia.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The film doesn’t ask for sympathy for this family or present them as objects of pity.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2025
-
But Luca’s whole vibe doesn’t exactly invite empathy, and Fisk takes no pity on the guy.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share