Sympathetic: meaning, definitions and examples

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sympathetic

 

[ˌsɪm.pəˈθet.ɪk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

empathy

Feeling or showing concern and understanding for others' emotions and situations.

Synonyms

compassionate, empathetic, understanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sympathetic

Used when you want to show that you care about someone else's feelings or troubles. It's often used to express pity or sorrow.

  • She was very sympathetic when I told her about my grandmother passing away.
  • He gave a sympathetic nod as his friend recounted his hardships.
compassionate

Used to describe someone who shows deep concern and love for others, often leading to action to help relieve suffering.

  • The nurse was very compassionate, always going the extra mile to comfort her patients.
  • He demonstrated a compassionate attitude by volunteering at the homeless shelter.
empathetic

Used when you are able to understand and share another person's feelings and experiences deeply, often because you've been through similar situations.

  • As someone who has overcome similar struggles, she was very empathetic towards his situation.
  • His empathetic nature made him a great counselor.
understanding

Used to describe someone who is perceptive and tolerant of others' feelings, behaviors, and situations. It emphasizes patience and acceptance.

  • Her understanding demeanor made it easy for people to confide in her.
  • He was very understanding about the delays and didn't get upset.

Examples of usage

  • He was always sympathetic towards his friends when they were going through tough times.
  • She offered a sympathetic ear to anyone who needed to talk about their problems.
Context #2 | Adjective

medical

Relating to or characterized by sympathy or understanding of another's suffering or feelings.

Synonyms

compassionate, kind, supportive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sympathetic

Used to describe someone who shows understanding and care about someone else's feelings or situation.

  • She was very sympathetic when I told her about my problems.
  • The teacher’s sympathetic attitude helped the students feel understood.
compassionate

Describes a person who shows deep care and concern for others’ suffering and is motivated to help.

  • Nurses need to be compassionate to provide the best care for their patients.
  • His compassionate nature drove him to volunteer at the shelter.
kind

Refers to someone who is friendly, generous, and considerate.

  • She is always kind to everyone, no matter who they are.
  • It was very kind of him to help me with my homework.
supportive

Describes a person who offers help, encouragement, or emotional strength during difficult times.

  • My friends were very supportive when I lost my job.
  • Having supportive colleagues can make a big difference in the workplace.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor was very sympathetic towards the patient's pain and discomfort.
  • Her sympathetic response to the grieving family was deeply appreciated.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek term 'sympatheia', meaning 'a fellow feeling' or 'shared feelings'.
  • It made its way into Middle French as 'sympathie' before entering English in the early 18th century.
  • Originally, it described a physical connection, such as how one object could affect another, before shifting toward emotional connections.

Psychology

  • Sympathetic feelings can enhance social bonds, encouraging empathy and community support.
  • Psychologists suggest that being sympathetic can lead to altruistic behavior, where people perform kind acts for others.
  • Research shows that those who regularly express sympathetic feelings often experience better emotional health themselves.

Literature

  • In many classic novels, sympathetic characters often serve as the moral compass of the story, providing insight into human emotions.
  • Authors use sympathetic characters to elicit emotional responses from readers, drawing them deeper into the narrative.
  • Famous works like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' feature sympathetic figures who advocate for justice and integrity, resonating with the audience.

Pop Culture

  • Sympathetic characters in films often highlight themes of friendship, love, and sacrifice, creating powerful emotional scenes.
  • Animated films frequently portray sympathetic traits in characters, making them lovable and relatable for audiences, such as in Disney movies.
  • Television shows utilize sympathetic characters to drive story arcs, often creating fan favorites who evoke compassion and understanding.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures emphasize various expressions of sympathy, with some valuing collective grieving and support during hard times.
  • In many societies, showing sympathy is seen as a virtue, fostering strong community ties and mutual support.
  • Cultural practices surrounding sympathy can influence how individuals respond to loss or hardship, ranging from communal rituals to private reflections.

Translations

Translations of the word "sympathetic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 simpático

🇮🇳 सहानुभूतिशील

🇩🇪 mitfühlend

🇮🇩 simpati

🇺🇦 співчутливий

🇵🇱 współczujący

🇯🇵 同情的な (dōjō-teki na)

🇫🇷 sympathique

🇪🇸 simpático

🇹🇷 sempatik

🇰🇷 동정심 많은 (dongjeongsim manh-eun)

🇸🇦 متعاطف

🇨🇿 soucitný

🇸🇰 súcitný

🇨🇳 同情的 (tóngqíng de)

🇸🇮 sočuten

🇮🇸 samúðarfullur

🇰🇿 жанашыр

🇬🇪 თანამგრძნობი

🇦🇿 şəfqətli

🇲🇽 simpático

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,199 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.