sympathy - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
sympathy Word Meanings
- the ability to share someone else's feelings
- compassion or understanding for someone else's situation
- a feeling of sorrow for someone else's misfortune
sympathy Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
sympathy Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈsɪmpəθi/
US
/ˈsɪmpəθi/
sympathy Word Etymology
sympathy = sym- (together) + pathy (feeling). Originating from Greek (sumpatheia) to Latin (sympatheia) to Old French (sympathie) then to English. Imagine a heart connecting to another heart, feeling the same emotions together.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I lean in, move my hands to rest on my chest, and listen to someone else’s story. A small shift in my chest tells me I’m not alone, I stay, I listen, I pull back just enough to avoid crowding. It feels like a soft pressure, a decision to hold space rather than fix things, a quiet push to understand what they’re going through. That feeling grows into a sense of connection I carry into real conversations, letting my own tone turn toward care rather than judgment.
Real Context
Sympathy is the feeling of care and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune, often accompanied by a wish to comfort or help. It can mean sharing another person’s emotion, but it is usually about recognizing and responding to their situation rather than fully experiencing it yourself. People often distinguish sympathy from empathy, which is more about putting yourself in another person’s shoes; sympathy may exist without complete shared emotion. Common collocations include have sympathy for, express sympathy toward, or show sympathy toward someone. The word traces from Greek sumpatheia to Latin sympatheia to Old French sympathie, entering English with a sense of connected feeling between two hearts.
Usage Reminders
- Remember sympathy is feeling for others' misfortune, not necessarily feeling like you are in their shoes.
- Use the verb forms: have sympathy for, express sympathy toward, or show sympathy with.
- Differentiate sympathy from empathy (sharing feelings) and from compassion (a deeper form of caring).
- Be careful with 'sympathy with' vs 'sympathy for' in collocations; both are possible but carry slightly different emphasis.
- Pay attention to typical contexts: expressing condolences, offering comfort, or recognizing hardship.
- The noun is sympathy; the verb is sympathize; adjectives: sympathetic.
Common Misconceptions
- Sympathy always means you understand exactly how the other person feels.
- Sympathy is only about pity and does not involve support or action.
- Empathy and sympathy are exactly the same thing.
- You cannot feel sympathy for groups or situations, only individuals.
- Sympathy requires you to feel the other person’s pain as your own.
Thinking Differences
Sympathy is a social, relational feeling in English; it signals concern and a desire to help, but does not require you to feel the other person’s exact emotions. Learners often confuse sympathy with empathy, which means deeper emotional sharing. Treat sympathy as a supportive, outward stance rather than an immersive, inner experience.
Learning Tips
- Learn the main collocations: have sympathy for, express sympathy toward, show sympathy toward.
- Distinguish sympathy, empathy, and compassion in meaning and usage.
- Practice pronouncing /ˈsɪm. pə.θi/ and note the stress pattern.
- Use sympathy in contexts of condolence, support, and acknowledgment of difficulty.
- Remember the verb form is sympathize, not symphatize.
- Pay attention to prepositions: 'for' vs 'with' vs 'toward' and how they change nuance.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'sympathy'?
A.Flying high in the sky
B.Understanding and sharing feelings
C.Eating a delicious meal
D.Playing a musical instrument
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'sympathy' correctly?
A.He expressed sympathy for the tasty dessert.
B.She felt sympathy for the sunny weather.
C.She showed no sympathy towards the injured puppy.
D.They danced with sympathy to the music.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'sympathy'?
A.Empathy
B.Joy
C.Anger
D.Confusion
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'sympathy'?
A.Enmity
B.Compassion
C.Understanding
D.Tolerance
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life scenario of 'sympathy'?
A.Helping a friend who is going through a tough time
B.Eating a delicious meal at a new restaurant
C.Taking a long walk in the park
D.Gardening in your backyard
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App