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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By Carol McCloud, Illustrated by David Messing Summary: This book explains clearly and simply how everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled through small acts of kindness or emptied by acts of thoughtlessness or cruelty.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Among the many points for assessing happiness around the world, like sharing meals with others and family bonds, researchers for the 2025 World Happiness Report looked closely at acts of kindness.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The Rise Of The Digital Leader Digital leaders operate at the intersection of three essential domains: technology (leveraging AI, automation and data to drive strategy), business (aligning digital efforts with measurable outcomes) and people (leading with empathy, influence and adaptability).—
Raj Polanki,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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The idea of sharing our stories connects us as a whole, evoking empathy.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Leadership wisdom is a combination of head, hunch and heart.—
Gregory Stebbins,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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These young people offer me their time and their hearts on some level.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Read the full Cancer Daily Horoscope Leo (July 23 - August 22) Throwing a pity party?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Sometimes even the family refuses to take pity, as new Nashville Harbor artist Greylan James discovered.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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