What does "sympathetic" mean?
A sympathetic nerve.
Sympathetic
/ˌsɪm.pəˈθɛt.ɪk/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A sympathetic nerve.
- Grammar: sympathetic is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: accordant, adductive, affectionate, affinitive.
- Useful contrasts: unfeeling, antipathetic, cackly.
- Usage evidence: The girl and her parents were very sympathetic.
How to use "sympathetic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sympathetic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sympathetic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sympathetic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sympathetic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sympathetic" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accordant" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sympathetic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A sympathetic nerve.
Adjective
- 1 Of, related to, feeling, showing, or characterized by sympathy.
"John looked very upset. I gave him a sympathetic look."
- 2 Of, related to, feeling, showing, or characterized by sympathy.; Showing approval of or favor towards an idea or action.
- 3 Attracting the liking of others. (of a person)
- 4 Attracting the liking of others. (of a person); Designed in a sensitive or appropriate way.
- 5 Relating to, producing, or denoting an effect which arises through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association. relational
"Sympathetic magic is based on imitation or correspondence."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Relating to, producing, or denoting an effect which arises through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association.; A supernatural connection or power resulting from two items having the same form or some other correspondence. (of magic) relational
"One of his great enthusiasms was for a "sympathetic" weapon salve, an idea originating in Paracelsus."
- 7 Relating to, producing, or denoting an effect which arises through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association.; Relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration. relational
- 8 Relating to or denoting the part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves arising from ganglia near the middle part of the spinal cord, supplying the internal organs, blood vessels, and glands, and balancing the action of the parasympathetic nerves. relational
"Sympathetic innervation involves epinephrine."
Adjective
- 1 relating to vibrations that occur as a result of vibrations in a nearby body wordnet
- 2 showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity wordnet
- 3 having similar disposition and tastes wordnet
- 4 expressing or feeling or resulting from sympathy or compassion or friendly fellow feelings; disposed toward wordnet
- 5 (of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"The girl and her parents were very sympathetic."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sympathetic"?
Common synonyms include: accordant, adductive, affectionate, affinitive, agreeable, agreeing.
How do you use "sympathetic" in a sentence?
The girl and her parents were very sympathetic.
How do you pronounce "sympathetic"?
Pronounced /ˌsɪm.pəˈθɛt.ɪk/.
Etymology
Mid 17th century in the sense “relating to an affinity or paranormal influence”, from Latin sympathēticus. By surface analysis, sympathy + -etic (“pertaining to”); compare pathetic. Displaced native Old English efnþrōwiende.