WordLens

sympathetic

1 of 1adjective
/ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/
Forms:more sympathetic,most sympathetic
1

showing care and understanding toward other people, especially when they are not feeling good

B2
  • The teacher was sympathetic to the student who was struggling with the coursework.
  • She was very sympathetic when I told her about my difficulties at work.
  • The doctor was sympathetic to the patient's concerns about the upcoming surgery.
  • Despite their differences, they were always sympathetic to each other's feelings.
  • The therapist provided a sympathetic environment for her clients to share their emotions.
Synonyms:
tendersofttemperatecaringwarm-heartedcompassionatemellowmildgentle
Antonyms:
unsympathetic
2

of or relating to the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions

  • The sympathetic nervous system activates during stressful situations.
  • A surge in sympathetic activity causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
  • The doctor explained how the sympathetic response prepares the body for danger.
  • Sweating during anxiety is a result of the sympathetic nervous system's activity.
  • When startled, our sympathetic system prepares our body for a quick reaction.
3

(of literary or dramatic characters) designed to evoke empathy or positive feelings from the audience

  • The protagonist is a sympathetic character despite his flaws.
  • Writers create sympathetic villains to add complexity.
  • The audience felt sorry for the sympathetic heroine.
  • Sympathetic characters help viewers connect emotionally.
  • The film relied on sympathetic figures to drive the story.
Synonyms:
appealinglikablelikeable
Antonyms:
unsympathetic
4

responding to vibrations in a nearby object or system

  • The tuning fork produced a sympathetic vibration in the nearby string.
  • Sympathetic resonance amplified the sound of the instrument.
  • The bridge experienced sympathetic vibrations from traffic.
  • Sympathetic strings vibrate when a related note is played.
  • Engineers considered sympathetic oscillations in the design.
Synonyms:
harmonic
5

having a similar temperament, taste, or disposition to another person

  • They became friends because they were sympathetic in their interests.
  • Sympathetic colleagues often collaborate well.
  • The couple shared a sympathetic outlook on life.
  • He found a sympathetic partner in his research.
  • Sympathetic roommates usually get along better.