Meaning of sympathetic in English

Classifying Adjective
sympathetic
Definitions
1. having similar disposition and tastes
Examples
- « a compatible married couple »
- « with their many similar tastes, he found her a most sympathetic companion »
Synonyms
- congenial
- agreeable
2. showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
Examples
- « was charitable in his opinions of others »
- « kindly criticism »
- « a kindly act »
- « sympathetic words »
- « a large-hearted mentor »
Synonyms
- kind
3. relating to vibrations that occur as a result of vibrations in a nearby body
Examples
- « sympathetic vibration »
Synonyms
- harmonious
Qualitative Adjective
sympathetic
Etymology
mid 17th century (in the sense ‘relating to an affinity or paranormal influence’, as in sympathetic magic): from sympathy, on the pattern of pathetic
Definitions
1. of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
Examples
- « sympathetic neurons »
- « sympathetic stimulation »
2. expressing or feeling or resulting from sympathy or compassion or friendly fellow feelings
Examples
- « disposed toward »
- « sympathetic to the students' cause »
- « a sympathetic observer »
- « a sympathetic gesture »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- unsympathetic
3. (of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings
Examples
- « the sympathetic characters in the play »
Antonyms

Pronunciation