Synonyms for

Sympathy

Verb / ˈsɪmpʌθi: / Another word for sympathy — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone else's pain or hardship.

Synonyms & similar words

understanding fellowfeeling compassion empathy pity understanding commiseration condolence support caring kindness concern sorrow tenderness solicitude affection heartache softness warmth clemency mercy

Synonyms by register

Formal

compassion commiseration condolence empathy

Informal

pity feeling for understanding

Literary

sorrow woe

Antonyms

indifference apathy cruelty hostility disregard callousness unconcern

Common collocations

  • express sympathy
  • offer sympathy
  • feel sympathy
  • sympathy card
  • deep sympathy
  • sympathy for
  • sympathy pains
  • sympathy vote

Word family

noun sympathy
verb sympathize
adjective sympathetic
adverb sympathetically

Usage note

Sympathy is the feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. While often used interchangeably, empathy implies a deeper connection.

Example sentences

  1. I feel sympathy for the people affected by the hurricane.
  2. She showed sympathy to her friend who failed the exam.
  3. The teacher expressed sympathy to the student who lost his grandfather.
  4. He received a lot of sympathy after his dog died.
  5. We expressed our sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Quotes

  • The greatest gift you can give someone is your sympathy.
  • Sympathy is the first step towards action.
  • Sympathy is the first and strongest element in spontaneous kindness.

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