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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sympathetic
Luigi Mangione's alleged assassination of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson might be a tipping point for American capitalism, as for the first time in recent memory, a sizable portion of the population has a sympathetic view of an alleged murderer.
—
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
This administration thinks that the people of Tennessee will be sympathetic to their attempt to paint our communities with a wide brush and spin a narrative where immigrants are seen and treated as criminals.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
The regime may even hope that Israel expands its strikes, or aim to draw in the United States, believing that if more Iranian civilians are killed, Iranian society will become more sympathetic toward the country’s only defenders: the regime.
—Afshon Ostovar, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025
Iran’s missile strike against a U.S. military base in Qatar was met with near-unanimous rebuke in the Middle East, including from sympathetic powers such as Oman.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
This administration thinks that the people of Tennessee will be sympathetic to their attempt to paint our communities with a wide brush and spin a narrative where immigrants are seen and treated as criminals.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
The regime may even hope that Israel expands its strikes, or aim to draw in the United States, believing that if more Iranian civilians are killed, Iranian society will become more sympathetic toward the country’s only defenders: the regime.
—Afshon Ostovar, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025
Iran’s missile strike against a U.S. military base in Qatar was met with near-unanimous rebuke in the Middle East, including from sympathetic powers such as Oman.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathetic
Adjective
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Companies like Google and Salesforce offer extensive parental leave programs, recognizing that supporting employees during one of life’s most significant milestones is not only compassionate but smart business.—
Will Fan,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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That means unlearning the language that perpetuates harm and stereotypes, and being more compassionate and humane across the board.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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In 2005, a benevolent dust devil blew dust off the Spirit rover's solar panels, increasing its power levels.—
Unnati Ashar,
Space.com,
2 July 2025
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Seven, a unity in seeking a sound, fair, and benevolent immigration reform is prompted by economic interest as well.—
Timothy Cardinal Dolan,
New York Daily News,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The City of Kerrville announced in a Facebook post that the Salvation Army is the city’s official partner for volunteer coordination and in kind donations.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
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But use kind humor, not nasty or deprecating humor.—
Davia Temin,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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Fans show up to the Cowboy Carter tour in thoughtful, inventive takes on Western Americana fashion, stadiums filled with denim, bandanas, cowboy hats, and looks that don’t just scream U.S.A but hoot and holler.—
Leah Faye Cooper,
Vogue,
4 July 2025
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The genre as a whole is widely celebrated for its age-appropriate narratives and emotional depth, and the film has long been praised for its thoughtful portrayal of childhood and growing up.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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According to a criminal complaint cited by WISN, WPR and FOX 11, on June 17, a woman found a golden retriever, possibly dehydrated, and sought help from the local police department and humane society.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
4 July 2025
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But Chulo – whose previous owner Alaniz said had also been detained by ICE – was taken by officers to a humane society.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathetic. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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