First Known Use: 1644
Dictionary
1sympathetic
adjective sym·pa·thet·ic \ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik\
: feeling or showing concern about someone who is in a bad situation : having or showing feelings of sympathy
: having or showing support for or approval of something
: having pleasant or appealing qualities : causing feelings of sympathy
Full Definition of SYMPATHETIC
1
: existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association
2
a : appropriate to one's mood, inclinations, or disposition b : marked by kindly or pleased appreciation <the biographer's approach was sympathetic>
3
: given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion, friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions <a sympathetic gesture>
4
: favorably inclined : approving <not sympathetic to the idea>
5
a : showing empathy b : arousing sympathy or compassion <a sympathetic role in the play>
6
a : of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system b : mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
7
: relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration
— sym·pa·thet·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of SYMPATHETIC
New Latin sympatheticus, from Latin sympathia sympathy
Related to SYMPATHETIC
- Synonyms
- commiserative, compassionate, empathetic, empathic, humane, understanding
- Antonyms
- callous, cold-blooded, coldhearted, hard, hard-hearted, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, obdurate, unfeeling, unsympathetic
Rhymes with SYMPATHETIC
2sympathetic
noun
Definition of SYMPATHETIC
: a sympathetic structure; especially : sympathetic nervous system
First Known Use of SYMPATHETIC
1808
Other Anatomy Terms
Rhymes with SYMPATHETIC
SYMPATHETIC Defined for Kids
sympathetic
adjective sym·pa·thet·ic \ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik\
Definition of SYMPATHETIC for Kids
1
: feeling or showing care or understanding <I received help from sympathetic friends.>
2
: feeling favorable <They're not sympathetic to the idea.>
— sym·pa·thet·i·cal·ly \-ti-kə-lē\ adverb <She listened sympathetically.>
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