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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sympathy differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and attraction are common synonyms of sympathy. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

When might affinity be a better fit than sympathy?

The meanings of affinity and sympathy largely overlap; however, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When is attraction a more appropriate choice than sympathy?

In some situations, the words attraction and sympathy are roughly equivalent. However, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sympathy American sympathy for Israelis has dropped to its lowest level in 25 years, while sympathy for Palestinians now stands at a record high, according to new polling. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025 Is his reality show just a veiled attempt to create sympathy for himself with a future jury pool in our civil case? Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025 The family released a statement thanking the community for prayers and support, while offering their sympathy to the family of the other victim allegedly shot by Manning, identified as Katherine Bjorklund, 33. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2025 Still, this adaptation of an O. Henry story tilts all its sympathies toward the outlaw hero the Cisco Kid (Warner Baxter, in a Best Actor–winning role) and away from the pompous white soldier charged with tracking him down. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sympathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sympathy
Noun
  • Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope Aries (March 21 - April 19) Driven by compassion?
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
  • And everything with her is effortless compassion and empathy.
    C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond baseball, Art was known for his kindness, humor, and deep appreciation for the people around him.
    Daniel Brown, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
  • And for Katelyn, the internet's kindness has arrived exactly at the right time.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Lead With Empathy Leading with empathy is crucial here.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Their commitment to their clients and values of empathy, excellence, curation, and transparency is well-known and well-respected in the industry.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At the center of it all, John Summit — tanned, smiling, his shirt unbuttoned to a chest level that suggested a regular workout routine — threw up heart hands while manning the cockpit of CDJs before him.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Walls display Black History Month decorations, a tree made of pink paper hearts and posters of historical figures like the Wright brothers and George Washington Carver.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Manipulating people’s real concern and pity was critical to Belle’s game.
    Candice Frederick, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
  • As Jaclyn tries to encourage (mock?) divorcee Laurie into having a fling at the resort with one of the staff members, Laurie is visibly torn between indulging her own desires and proving her friends’ pity to be misplaced.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Sympathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sympathy. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sympathy

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