Sympathy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈsim-pə-thē/ sym·pa·thy

Meaning & Definition of Sympathy

Sympathy (noun)

  1. a feeling or expression of sincere concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful; also, the capacity for this
  2. the action of entering into or sharing the feelings or interests of another, empathy; also, the capacity for this
  3. an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things such that whatever affects one affects the other similarly

Sympathy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: commiseration, compassion, feeling
    related: condolence, regret, humaneness, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, warmheartedness, affinity, empathy, rapport, sensitivity, understanding, altruism, benevolence, benignity, bigheartedness, charity, generosity, goodwill, humanitarianism, largeheartedness, largesse, magnanimity, philanthropy
    opposite: callousness, coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, heartlessness
    near: indifference, insensitivity, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, inhumanity, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility

  2. 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"

    similar: bigheartedness, charity, commiseration, compassion, feeling, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, warmheartedness
    related: feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitivity, affection, love, regard, affinity, empathy, rapport, altruism, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humaneness, humanism, humanitarianism, philanthropy
    opposite: coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness
    near: callousness, coldness, disinterest, indifference, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility

Related Entry: Sympathy strike (noun)

Sympathy strike is a different word from Sympathy. The synonyms below are for sympathy strike, not for sympathy.

  1. as in sympathetic strike

    similar: sympathetic strike, strike, walkout, go-slow (British), job action, sick-out, sit-down, sit-in, slowdown, lockout

Related Entry: Sympathy strikes (noun)

Sympathy strikes is a different word from Sympathy. The synonyms below are for sympathy strikes, not for sympathy.

  1. as in sympathetic strikes

    similar: sympathetic strikes, strikes, walkouts, go-slows (British), job actions, sick-outs, sit-downs, sit-ins, slowdowns, lockouts

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sympathy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sympathy:

commiseration, compassion, feeling, bigheartedness, charity, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, warmheartedness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sympathy

Words with the opposite meaning of Sympathy:

callousness, coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, heartlessness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness

Related Words for Sympathy

condolence, regret, humaneness, affinity, empathy, rapport, sensitivity, understanding, altruism, benevolence, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humanitarianism, largesse, magnanimity, philanthropy, feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, affection, love, regard, benignancy, humanism

Near Antonyms of Sympathy

indifference, insensitivity, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility, coldness, disinterest

Word Forms of Sympathy

Inflections: sympathies

Origin & Etymology of Sympathy

Latin sympathia, from Greek sympatheia, from sympathēs having common feelings, sympathetic, from syn- + pathos feelings, emotion, experience pathos

First known use: circa 1586

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Sympathy

Words & Phrases Containing Sympathy

sympathy strike, tea and sympathy

Frequently Asked Questions about Sympathy

What does "Sympathy" mean?

"Sympathy" means a feeling or expression of sincere concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful; also, the capacity for this. As a noun, it is defined as: a feeling or expression of sincere concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful; also, the capacity for this. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sympathy"?

Other words for "Sympathy" include commiseration, compassion, feeling, bigheartedness, charity, good-heartedness, heart and humanity. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sympathy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sympathy"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sympathy". Common alternatives include commiseration, compassion, feeling, bigheartedness, charity, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness and kindliness.

What is the opposite of "Sympathy"?

Antonyms of "Sympathy" include callousness, coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, heartlessness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness and pitilessness. Near antonyms include indifference, insensitivity, unconcern and cruelty.

How do you use "Sympathy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sympathy" in a sentence: "since losing her own brother to lung disease, the nurse has had greater sympathy for families going through the same agony"; "the least you could do is have some sympathy for me if I have to stay home".

Is "Sympathy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sympathy" is a noun.

Is "Sympathy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Sympathy" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Sympathy"?

"Sympathy" is pronounced /ˈsim-pə-thē/ and divided into syllables as sym·pa·thy.