sympathy

sympathy Definition

sym·pa·thy (sim′pə t̸hē)

noun pl. -·thies

1. sameness of feeling; affinity between persons or of one person for another
2. Now Rare agreement in qualities; harmony; accord
3. a mutual liking or understanding arising from sameness of feeling
4. 
   
1. an entering into, or the ability to enter into, another person's mental state, feelings, emotions, etc.
2. 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. Physiol. a relation between body parts of such a nature that a disorder, pain, etc. in one induces a similar effect in another

Etymology: L sympathia <>sympatheia < syn-, together + pathos, feeling: see pathos

sympathy Synonyms

sympathy

1. Fellow feeling

understanding, commiseration, compassion; see pity 1.

2. An expression of sympathy, sense 1

condolence, consolation, solace, comfort, cheer, encouragement, reassurance; see also aid.

3. Connection

unity, harmony, concord, alliance, close relation, accord, agreement. See syn. study at pity.pity.

sympathy Usage Examples

Converse of object

• elicit: Those attending a conference abroad tend to be the envy of their colleagues so complaints about such trials and tribulations elicit little sympathy.
• evoke: Because pregnant women can evoke the sympathies of the nation, even when they are criminals.
• express: The Prime Minister began the event by expressing sympathy with the people of Russia following last week's school siege.
• deserve: When you can point out why this set of donors deserve some sympathy, I might agree with you.
• engender: Tho he failed to engender enough sympathy for Phillip Gellburg, a mistake which cannot be blamed on the script.
• feel: Perhaps we feel some sympathy with the elder son.

Preposition: on

• behalf: We extend our sympathy on behalf of all members of the company to Norma and David at this sad time.

Adjective modifier

• heartfelt: My heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family circle.
• sincere: Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your Pepper.
• deep: I offer my deepest sympathy to his family also to the band which I hope will carry on, given time to reflect.
• instinctive: What they have in common is an instinctive sympathy for the characters.
• utmost: At a personal level, therefore, I have the utmost sympathy for staff employed by British Waterways facing a re-organisation.
• ever-ready: You look it, " suggested the young man, in a voice made anxious by an ever-ready sympathy.

Modifies a noun

• vote: However oil trading contracts have been terminated by the Iraqis, lessening the sympathy vote from the Russians.
• tribute: For all occassions: New baby, with love flowers and sympathy tributes.

Noun used with modifier

• tender: Mark Twain's mother was a woman of sturdy character and with a keen sense of humor and tender sympathies.

Preposition: with

• aspiration: ATL was very much in sympathy with the aspirations of Every Child Matters.
• aim: Children of other faiths whose parents are in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the school.

Preposition: for

• plight: The 5 majority judges also expressed their " great sympathy for the plight of Natallie " .
• victim: Characteristically, he was at pains in court to stress his sympathy for the bomb victims.

sympathy Quotes

Ihavea lotof sympathy with him.Itoowas onceayoung, bald Leader of the Opposition.

—Kinnock, Neil Gordon

He bit his lip in a manner which immediately awakened my maternal sympathy, and I helped him bite it.

—Perelman, S(ydney) J(oseph)

You will find that the woman who is really kind to dogs is always one who has failed to inspire sympathy in men.

—Beerbohm, Sir (Henry) Max(imilian)

I have no need of your God-damned sympathy. I only wish to be entertained by some of your grosser reminiscences.

—Woollcott, Alexander Humphreys

To my daughter Leonora without whose never-failing sympathy and encouragement this book would have been finished in half the time.

—Plum

'Twonations; betweenwhomthere isnointercourseand no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets; who are formed bya different breeding, are fed by a different 276 food, are ordered by different manners, and are not governed by the same laws.' 'You speak ofö'said Egremont, hesitatingly.'THE RICH ANDTHE POOR.'

—Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield