/ ˈsɪmpəθi; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U , C , usually pl. ] the feeling of being sorry for sb; showing that you understand and care about sb's problems :
to express / feel sympathy for sb
I have no sympathy for Jan, it's all her own fault.
I wish he'd show me a little more sympathy.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the victims of the war.
( formal )
May we offer our deepest sympathies on the death of your wife.
2.
[ U , C , usually pl. ] the act of showing support for or approval of an idea, a cause, an organization, etc. :
The seamen went on strike in sympathy with (= to show their support for) the dockers.
Her sympathies lie with the anti-abortion lobby.
3.
[ U ] friendship and understanding between people who have similar opinions or interests :
There was no personal sympathy between them.
•
IDIOMS
- in sympathy with sth
- out of sympathy with sb/sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek sumpatheia , from sumpathēs , from sun- with + pathos feeling.