sympathetic

[ sim-puh-thet-ik ]

adjective

1. characterized by, proceeding from, exhibiting, or feeling sympathy; sympathizing; compassionate:

   a sympathetic listener.

   Synonyms: affectionate, tender, kind

   Antonyms: unkind, hard

2. acting or affected by, of the nature of, or pertaining to a special affinity or mutual relationship; congenial:

   With their many similar tastes, he found her a most sympathetic companion.

3. looking upon with favor (often followed by to or toward ):

   She is sympathetic to the project.

4. Anatomy, Physiology.
   1. pertaining to that part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves that arise from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, and functioning in opposition to the parasympathetic system, as in stimulating heartbeat, dilating the pupil of the eye, etc.
   2. Obsolete. pertaining to the autonomic nervous system in its entirety.
5. Physics. noting or pertaining to vibrations, sounds, etc., produced by a body as the direct result of similar vibrations in a different body.

sympathetic

/ ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by, feeling, or showing sympathy; understanding
2. in accord with the subject's personality or mood; congenial

   a sympathetic atmosphere

3. whenpostpositive, often foll by to or towards showing agreement (with) or favour (towards)

   sympathetic to the proposals

4. anatomy physiol of or relating to the division of the autonomic nervous system that acts in opposition to the parasympathetic system accelerating the heartbeat, dilating the bronchi, inhibiting the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, etc Compare parasympathetic
5. relating to vibrations occurring as a result of similar vibrations in a neighbouring body

   sympathetic strings on a sitar

Derived Forms

• ˌsympaˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• sympa·theti·cal·ly adverb
• nonsym·pa·thetic adjective
• nonsym·pa·theti·cal·ly adverb
• quasi-sympa·thetic adjective
• quasi-sympa·theti·cal·ly adverb
• super·sympa·thetic adjective
• unsym·pa·thetic adjective
• unsym·pa·theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sympathetic¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from New Latin sympathēticus, from Greek sympathētikós; equivalent to sym- + pathetic

Example Sentences

She says that Pennycook, who is her local MP, seemed sympathetic to her situation when she and her neighbours raised it with him.

From BBC

However, California’s emphasis on such liberal issues pushes the boundaries for many moderate voters, even those who may be sympathetic to some progressive polices, Kochel said.

From Los Angeles Times

The idea was to be sympathetic enough that viewers would conclude “these young women were not psychopaths” even if “they made different choices than you or I would have made.”

From Los Angeles Times

But Musk can have an influence on US policy, and Trump will have a sympathetic adviser to call upon.

From BBC

Taken by itself, Stewart’s giggles at Hinchcliffe’s rapid-fire racist punchlines at the Brady roast didn’t make him look especially sympathetic to the legitimately outraged reaction to the comic’s Madison Square Garden performance.

From Salon

Related Words

• affectionate
• bleeding-heart
• caring
• compassionate
• interested
• loving
• responsive
• sensitive
• supportive
• thoughtful
• warm