If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
We expressed our sympathy for her loss.
I have had very little help from doctors and no sympathy whatsoever.
I wanted to express my sympathies on your resignation.
Synonyms: compassion, understanding, pity, empathy More Synonyms of sympathy
2. uncountable noun
If you have sympathy with someone's ideas or opinions, you agree with them.
I have some sympathy with this point of view. [+ with]
Lithuania still commands considerable international sympathy for its cause. [+ for]
He had strong left-wing sympathies.
Synonyms: affinity, agreement, rapport, union More Synonyms of sympathy
3. uncountable noun
If you take some action insympathywith someone else, you do it in order to show that you support them.
Several hundred workers struck in sympathy with their colleagues.
Milne resigned in sympathy because of the way Donald had been treated.
...calls for sympathy strikes.
Synonyms: agreement, support, favour, approval More Synonyms of sympathy
sympathy in British English
(ˈsɪmpəθɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-thies
1.
the sharing of another's emotions, esp of sorrow or anguish; pity; compassion
2.
an affinity or harmony, usually of feelings or interests, between persons or things
to be in sympathy with someone
3.
mutual affection or understanding arising from such a relationship; congeniality
4.
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
5. (sometimes plural)
a feeling of loyalty, support, or accord, as for an idea, cause, etc
6. physiology
the mutual relationship between two organs or parts whereby a change in one has an effect on the other
Word origin
C16: from Latin sympathīa, from Greek sumpatheia, from sumpathēs, from syn- + pathos suffering
sympathy in American English
(ˈsɪmpəθi)
nounWord forms: pluralˈsympathies
1.
sameness of feeling; affinity between persons or of one person for another
2. Rare
agreement in qualities; harmony; accord
3.
a mutual liking or understanding arising from sameness of feeling
4.
a.
an entering into, or the ability to enter into, another person's mental state, feelings, emotions, etc.
b. [often pl.]
pity or compassion felt for another's trouble, suffering, etc.
5.
a feeling of approval of or agreement with an idea, cause, etc.
6. Physics
a relation or harmony between bodies of such a nature that vibrations in one cause sympathetic vibrations in the other or others
7. Physiology
a relation between body parts of such a nature that a disorder, pain, etc. in one induces a similar effect in another
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈpity
Word origin
L sympathia < Gr sympatheia < syn-, together + pathos, feeling: see pathos
COBUILD Collocations
sympathy
deep sympathy
deserve sympathy
elicit sympathy
feel sympathy
heartfelt sympathy
little sympathy
Examples of 'sympathy' in a sentence
sympathy
So there ought to have been mutual sympathy and understanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You have the right mix of toughness and sympathy to help a relative.
The Sun (2007)
Try to get him to talk by showing sympathy.
The Sun (2014)
They need all our support and sympathy.
The Sun (2013)
The stars of the show were quick to express their sympathy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is some natural sympathy between the idea of personal independence and the idea of coalition.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
IT'S an odd way to seek sympathy for a strike.
The Sun (2009)
Most of those who commented were themselves in this age group and felt considerable sympathy.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Mutual sympathy on the early death of their fathers to lung cancer brought them together.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They gave me genuine sympathy and concrete help.
Martin, April The Guide to Lesbian and Gay Parenting (1993)
He shows no sympathy and much malice.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They also said that they had been overwhelmed by the public support and sympathy they had received.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Or that the two sons struggle to express sympathy with the bereaved.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It also signals to those around you that you need their sympathy or help.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
There will be a huge groundswell of support and sympathy.
The Sun (2013)
Only a few noble souls express sympathy or outrage.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Not exactly cause for sympathy, then.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Somehow, a cantankerous rush to judgement is accompanied all the way by sympathy and insight.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Both are young centre backs who have been forced to play out of position on the flanks and are deserving of considerable sympathy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
To expect the victim's family to show sympathy and understanding is outrageous.
The Sun (2006)
No longer would affection or personal sympathy cement such bonds: now they derived from shared financial interest.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Some playwrights aim to shock their audiences into sympathy for new ideas, though they tend to play to audiences already on side.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I'm not entirely convinced by the mutual warmth or sympathy of the presenters.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
My Soul maintains a sense of decorum by expressing affection and sympathy for his former wife, not bitterness.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
A fellow-feeling makes one wond'rous kindDavid GarrickAn Occasional Prologue on Quitting the Theatre
In other languages
sympathy
British English: sympathy /ˈsɪmpəθɪ/ NOUN
If you have sympathy for someone who has had a misfortune, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
We expressed our sympathy for her loss.
American English: sympathy
Arabic: تَعَاطُف
Brazilian Portuguese: compaixão
Chinese: 同情心
Croatian: simpatija
Czech: soucit
Danish: sympati
Dutch: sympathie
European Spanish: lástima compasión
Finnish: sympatia
French: compassion
German: Mitgefühl
Greek: συμπόνια
Italian: comprensione
Japanese: 同情
Korean: 동정
Norwegian: sympati
Polish: sympatia
European Portuguese: compaixão
Romanian: compasiune
Russian: сочувствие
Latin American Spanish: lástima
Swedish: sympati
Thai: ความเห็นใจ
Turkish: halden anlama
Ukrainian: співчуття
Vietnamese: sự thông cảm
All related terms of 'sympathy'
deep sympathy
If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
feel sympathy
If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
elicit sympathy
If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
little sympathy
If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
sympathy strike
a strike organized in support of another section of workers or a cause and not because of direct grievances
deserve sympathy
If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
heartfelt sympathy
If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.
tea and sympathy
a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble
sympathetic strike
a strike organized in support of another section of workers or a cause and not because of direct grievances
Chinese translation of 'sympathy'
sympathy
(ˈsɪmpəθɪ)
n(u)
同情心 (tóngqíngxīn)
to have or feel sympathy for sb同情某人 (tóngqíng mǒurén)
to have sympathy with[idea, attitude]赞(贊)同 (zàntóng)
with deepest sympathy深表慰问(問) (shēnbiǎo wèiwèn)
to come out in sympathy (with sb)[workers]声(聲)援(某人) (shēngyuán (mǒurén))
Derived Forms
sympathiesn pl
(= support) 支持 (zhīchí)
(= condolences) 慰问(問) (wèiwèn)
All related terms of 'sympathy'
in deepest sympathy
最深切的同情 zuì shēnqiè de tóngqíng
with deepest sympathy
深表慰问(問) shēnbiǎo wèiwèn
to have sympathy with
( idea, attitude ) 赞(贊)同 zàntóng
to have or feel sympathy for sb
同情某人 tóngqíng mǒurén
to come out in sympathy (with sb)
( workers ) 声(聲)援(某人) shēngyuán (mǒurén)
1 (noun)
Definition
understanding of other people's problems
We expressed our sympathy for her loss.
Synonyms
compassion
They preach universal kindness and compassion.
understanding
We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
pity
He felt a sudden tender pity for her.
empathy
the king's empathy with the suffering of his people
tenderness
She smiled, politely, rather than with tenderness.
condolence(s)
thoughtfulness
commiseration
I was moved to tears of pity and deep commiseration.
aroha (New Zealand)
Opposites
indifference
,
scorn
,
disdain
,
insensitivity
,
coldness
,
callousness
,
hard-heartedness
,
pitilessness
,
lack of feeling or understanding or sympathy
2 (noun)
Definition
mutual affection or understanding between two people or a person and an animal
I still have sympathy with this point of view.
Synonyms
affinity
There is a natural affinity between the two.
agreement
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
rapport
He said he wanted to establish a rapport with them.
union
harmony
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature
warmth
correspondence
correspondences between Eastern religions and Christianity
fellow feeling
There is genuine fellow feeling for the victims.
congeniality
Opposites
opposition
,
resistance
,
hostility
,
disapproval
,
antagonism
,
unfriendliness
3 (noun)
Definition
feelings of loyalty or support for an idea or a cause
Several hundred workers struck in sympathy with their colleagues.
Synonyms
agreement
support
They are prepared to resort to violence in support of their views.
favour
They viewed him with favour.
approval
an obsessive drive to win public approval
encouragement
Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.
affiliation
partiality
approbation
The result has not met with universal approbation.
Quotation
A fellow-feeling makes one wond'rous kind [David Garrick – An Occasional Prologue on Quitting the Theatre]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of approbation
Definition
approval
The result has not met with universal approbation.
Synonyms
approval,
support,
favour,
praise,
sanction,
recognition,
acceptance,
acclaim,
encouragement,
applause,
endorsement,
ratification,
assent,
congratulation,
commendation,
laudation
in the sense of approval
an obsessive drive to win public approval
Synonyms
favour,
liking,
regard,
respect,
praise,
esteem,
acclaim,
appreciation,
encouragement,
admiration,
applause,
commendation,
approbation,
good opinion,
Brownie points
in the sense of commiseration
I was moved to tears of pity and deep commiseration.
Synonyms
sympathy,
pity,
compassion,
consolation,
condolence,
fellow feeling
Synonyms of 'sympathy'
sympathy
Explore 'sympathy' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of correspondence
Definition
relationship or similarity
correspondences between Eastern religions and Christianity
Synonyms
relation,
match,
agreement,
fitness,
comparison,
harmony,
coincidence,
similarity,
analogy,
correlation,
conformity,
comparability,
concurrence,
congruity
in the sense of empathy
Definition
the ability to sense and understand someone else's feelings as if they were one's own
the king's empathy with the suffering of his people
Synonyms
understanding,
feeling,
appreciation,
compassion,
rapport,
commiseration
in the sense of encouragement
Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.
Synonyms
inspiration,
help,
support,
aid,
favour,
comfort,
comforting,
cheer,
cheering,
consolation,
reassurance,
morale boosting,
succour
in the sense of favour
Definition
an approving attitude
They viewed him with favour.
Synonyms
approval,
grace,
esteem,
goodwill,
kindness,
friendliness,
commendation,
partiality,
approbation,
kind regard
in the sense of fellow feeling
Definition
sympathy existing between people who have shared similar experiences
There is genuine fellow feeling for the victims.
Synonyms
sympathy,
understanding,
concern,
care,
pity,
compassion,
feeling,
empathy
in the sense of harmony
Definition
a state of peaceful agreement and cooperation
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature
Synonyms
accord,
order,
understanding,
peace,
agreement,
friendship,
unity,
sympathy,
consensus,
cooperation,
goodwill,
rapport,
conformity,
compatibility,
assent,
unanimity,
concord,
amity (formal),
amicability,
like-mindedness
in the sense of pity
Definition
sorrow felt for the sufferings of others
He felt a sudden tender pity for her.
Synonyms
compassion,
understanding,
charity,
sympathy,
distress,
sadness,
sorrow,
kindness,
tenderness,
condolence,
commiseration,
fellow feeling
in the sense of rapport
Definition
a sympathetic relationship or understanding
He said he wanted to establish a rapport with them.
Synonyms
bond,
understanding,
relationship,
link,
tie,
sympathy,
harmony,
affinity,
empathy,
interrelationship
in the sense of support
Definition
the act of supporting or the condition of being supported
They are prepared to resort to violence in support of their views.
Synonyms
furtherance,
backing,
promotion,
championship,
approval,
assistance,
encouragement,
espousal
in the sense of tenderness
She smiled, politely, rather than with tenderness.
Synonyms
gentleness,
love,
affection,
liking,
care,
consideration,
sympathy,
pity,
humanity,
warmth,
mercy,
attachment,
compassion,
devotion,
kindness,
fondness,
sentimentality,
benevolence,
humaneness,
amorousness,
warm-heartedness,
softheartedness,
tenderheartedness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of understanding
We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.