B2noun 2K

Sympathy

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈsɪmpəθi/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈsɪmpəθi/"]/

Meaning of Sympathy

the feeling of being sorry for somebody; showing that you understand and care about somebody’s problems

In simple words: Feeling sad or caring about someone else's problems.

Sympathy in a sentence

• She expressed her sympathy for the families affected by the fire.
• His sympathy towards the homeless people was evident in his charitable actions.
• The teacher showed great sympathy for students struggling with personal issues.
• I felt a sense of sympathy for my friend who lost her job.
• Her sympathy for animals led her to volunteer at the shelter.
• He doesn’t only feel sympathy; he actively tries to help those in need.
• The politician's message was filled with sympathy for the victims.
• They shared a mutual sympathy born from their similar life experiences.

How to use Sympathy

Used when discussing feelings for someone going through a hard time. Appropriate in most contexts, but may be too formal for casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

have + sympathy for + object

Memory hint

Think of 'sympathy' as 'sim-pathy' - you share in someone's feelings.

Related words

Collocations with Sympathy

• considerable
• deep
• genuine
• feel
• find
• have
• go out to somebody
• lie with somebody
• in sympathy with
• out of sympathy
• with sympathy
• a feeling of sympathy
• a pang of sympathy
• full of sympathy
• considerable
• deep
• genuine
• feel
• find
• have
• go out to somebody
• lie with somebody
• in sympathy with
• out of sympathy
• with sympathy
• a feeling of sympathy
• a pang of sympathy
• full of sympathy
• considerable
• deep
• genuine
• feel
• find
• have
• go out to somebody
• lie with somebody
• in sympathy with
• out of sympathy
• with sympathy
• a feeling of sympathy
• a pang of sympathy
• full of sympathy

Synonyms for Sympathy

• compassion
• condolence
• commiseration
• understanding
• care

Opposites of Sympathy

• indifference
• apathy
• disregard

Common mistakes with Sympathy

• Confused with 'empathy' - they are not the same.
• Using 'sympathy' when describing joy at someone's success.
• Saying 'sympathy for you' instead of 'sympathy for your loss.'

Frequently asked questions about Sympathy

What does Sympathy mean?

Feeling sad or caring about someone else's problems.

What is the definition of Sympathy?

the feeling of being sorry for somebody; showing that you understand and care about somebody’s problems

How do you use Sympathy in a sentence?

She expressed her sympathy for the families affected by the fire.

Can you give another example of Sympathy?

His sympathy towards the homeless people was evident in his charitable actions.

What are synonyms for Sympathy?

Common alternatives include compassion, condolence, commiseration, understanding, care.

What is the opposite of Sympathy?

Opposite meanings include indifference, apathy, disregard.

What words go with Sympathy?

It commonly pairs with considerable, deep, genuine, feel, find, have, go out to somebody, lie with somebody, in sympathy with, out of sympathy, with sympathy, a feeling of sympathy, a pang of sympathy, full of sympathy, considerable, deep, genuine, feel, find, have, go out to somebody, lie with somebody, in sympathy with, out of sympathy, with sympathy, a feeling of sympathy, a pang of sympathy, full of sympathy, considerable, deep, genuine, feel, find, have, go out to somebody, lie with somebody, in sympathy with, out of sympathy, with sympathy, a feeling of sympathy, a pang of sympathy, full of sympathy.

What are common mistakes when using Sympathy?

Confused with 'empathy' - they are not the same. Using 'sympathy' when describing joy at someone's success. Saying 'sympathy for you' instead of 'sympathy for your loss.'

How do you pronounce Sympathy?

US: /["/ˈsɪmpəθi/"]/, UK: /["/ˈsɪmpəθi/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Sympathy?

Used when discussing feelings for someone going through a hard time. Appropriate in most contexts, but may be too formal for casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Sympathy?

"Sympathy" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.