sympathetic

UK: /ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/ US: /ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/ ,(sim′pə thet′ik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sym•pa•thet•ic /ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/   adj. 

1. having, showing, being based on, or feeling sympathy:
   He was a sympathetic listener, willing to help whenever someone had a problem.
2. in harmony or agreeing with one's tastes, mood, or nature;
   congenial:
   a sympathetic companion.
3. looking upon with favor:
   [be + ~ (+ to/toward)] She is sympathetic toward the project.

sym•pa•thet•i•cal•ly, adv. See -path-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sym•pa•thet•ic  (sim′pə thet′ik), adj. 

1. characterized by, proceeding from, exhibiting, or feeling sympathy;
   sympathizing;
   compassionate:
   a sympathetic listener.
2. acting or affected by, of the nature of, or pertaining to a special affinity or mutual relationship;
   congenial:
   With their many similar tastes, he found her a most sympathetic companion.
3. looking upon with favor (often fol. by to or toward):
   She is sympathetic to the project.
4. Anatomy
   • Physiology pertaining to that part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves that arise from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, and functioning in opposition to the parasympathetic system, as in stimulating heartbeat, dilating the pupil of the eye, etc.
   • Physiology [Obs.] pertaining to the autonomic nervous system in its entirety.
5. Physics noting or pertaining to vibrations, sounds, etc., produced by a body as the direct result of similar vibrations in a different body.

• Greek sympathētikós. See sym-, pathetic
• Neo-Latin sympathēticus
• 1635–45

sym′pa•thet′i•cal•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. commiserating, kind, tender, affectionate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sympathetic / ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/ adjective

1. characterized by, feeling, or showing sympathy; understanding
2. in accord with the subject's personality or mood; congenial: a sympathetic atmosphere
3. when postpositive, often followed by to or towards: showing agreement (with) or favour (towards)
4. of or relating to the division of the autonomic nervous system that acts in opposition to the parasympathetic system accelerating the heartbeat, dilating the bronchi, inhibiting the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, etc
   Compare parasympathetic
5. relating to vibrations occurring as a result of similar vibrations in a neighbouring body: sympathetic strings on a sitar

ˌsympaˈthetically adverb