Vocab5000
Dictionary CEFR Levels IELTS & TOEFL Expressions Games Download App

sympathetic

adjective B2 Neutral

Meaning

The word "sympathetic" describes a person who shows understanding and compassion for someone else's feelings or experiences.
💡 A common mistake is to confuse "sympathetic" with "sympathy," which refers to the feelings themselves rather than the quality of being understanding.

Example Sentences

Are you sympathetic to people who are going through hard times ?
She was very sympathetic when I told her about my problems .
The manager was sympathetic to the employees' concerns during the meeting .

Word in Context

After a long day at work , Anna sat on a park bench and watched people pass by . Her neighbor noticed her and listened with a sympathetic smile while she talked about a difficult meeting . He offered a cup of tea and some simple ideas to help her relax that evening . They walked home together and kept talking about small plans for the weekend . The short conversation made Anna feel calmer and more ready to face the next day .

Common Phrases

sympathetic response sympathetic ear sympathetic attitude

Synonyms

Antonyms

Never forget "sympathetic"

Set a daily goal, reinforce with word cards and games, and track your progress in the Vocab5000 app — learn every B2 level word permanently with our science-based repetition system.

Vocab5000