View synonyms for sympathy

sympathy

[ sim-puh-thee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural sym·pa·thies.

the act or state of feeling sorrow or compassion for another:
I can do no more than express my deep sympathy for you in your loss.
agreement in feelings or emotions between people or on the part of one person toward another, especially as based on similar tastes, shared understanding, etc.:
The characters are odious and self-serving, and neither arouses any sympathy in the reader.
Synonyms: affinity, rapport, understanding, concord
sympathies,
1. feelings or impulses of compassion:
  The mayor extends her deepest sympathies to all those affected by the bridge collapse.
2. feelings of favor, support, or loyalty:
  It's hard to tell where your sympathies lie.
favor or approval:
He viewed the plan with sympathy and publicly backed it.
agreement, consonance, or accord:
It's difficult not to have some sympathy with the sentiments expressed.
Psychology. a relationship between persons in which the condition of one induces a parallel or reciprocal condition in another.
Physiology. the relation between parts or organs whereby a condition or disorder of one part induces some effect in another.

adjective

expressing sympathy:
A sympathy card can be an encouraging ray of light to someone who has recently lost a loved one.
Some suspect the nomination was a sympathy vote rather than a true reflection of her qualifications.

sympathy

/ ˈsɪmpəθɪ /

noun

the sharing of another's emotions, esp of sorrow or anguish; pity; compassion
an affinity or harmony, usually of feelings or interests, between persons or things
to be in sympathy with someone
mutual affection or understanding arising from such a relationship; congeniality
the condition of a physical system or body when its behaviour is similar or corresponds to that of a different system that influences it, such as the vibration of sympathetic strings
sometimes plural a feeling of loyalty, support, or accord, as for an idea, cause, etc
physiol the mutual relationship between two organs or parts whereby a change in one has an effect on the other

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Other Words From

non·sym·pa·thy noun plural nonsympathies
pre·sym·pa·thy noun
su·per·sym·pa·thy noun plural supersympathies

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sympathy¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin sympathīa, from Greek sympátheia, equivalent to sympathe-, stem of sympathḗs “sympathetic” ( sym- sym- + páth(os) “suffering, sensation” + -ēs adjective suffix) + -ia -y ³

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sympathy¹

C16: from Latin sympathīa, from Greek sumpatheia, from sumpathēs, from syn- + pathos suffering

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Synonym Study

Sympathy, compassion, pity, empathy all denote the tendency, practice, or capacity to share in the feelings of others, especially their distress, sorrow, or unfulfilled desires. Sympathy is the broadest of these terms, signifying a general kinship with another's feelings, no matter of what kind: in sympathy with her yearning for peace and freedom; to extend sympathy to the bereaved. Compassion implies a deep sympathy for the sorrows or troubles of another coupled to a powerful urge to alleviate the pain or distress or to remove its source: to show compassion for homeless refugees. Pity usually suggests a kindly, but sometimes condescending, sorrow aroused by the suffering or ill fortune of others, often leading to a show of mercy: tears of pity for war casualties; to have pity on a thief driven by hunger. Empathy most often refers to a vicarious participation in the emotions, ideas, or opinions of others, the ability to imagine oneself in the condition or predicament of another: empathy with those striving to improve their lives; to feel empathy with Hamlet as one watches the play.

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Example Sentences

In the view of some cops, perps merit little concern or sympathy.

From The Daily Beast

But among ferocious ideologues, similar roots are no guarantee of mutual sympathy when schisms occur.

From The Daily Beast

It would appear that when it came to the bottom line, Washington was not overflowing with sympathy.

From The Daily Beast

In southern Turkey, some local officials in his Justice and Development Party (AKP) express sympathy for ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

She did not weep on cue in public when Monteith died, or seek sympathy.

From The Daily Beast

He turned his eyes upon her; but no sympathy was in their beams; no belief in the semblance of her tears.

From Project Gutenberg

She fancied there was a sympathy of thought and taste between them, in which fancy she was mistaken.

From Project Gutenberg

The feeling for the tiny things probably has in it the warmth of a young personal sympathy.

From Project Gutenberg

Tony, less self-centred, less rigidly contained, had penetrated her by an understanding sympathy greater than his own.

From Project Gutenberg

The gray eyes, once flashing with the light of kindly humor, now softened with sympathy, now glowed with pity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

sympathomimetic sympathy strike

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