SYMPATHETIC


Meaning of SYMPATHETIC in English

/ ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk; NAmE / adjective

1.

sympathetic (to / towards sb) kind to sb who is hurt or sad; showing that you understand and care about their problems :

a sympathetic listener

I did not feel at all sympathetic towards Kate.

I'm here if you need a sympathetic ear (= sb to talk to about your problems) .

2.

sympathetic (to / towards sb/sth) showing that you approve of sb/sth or that you share their views and are willing to support them :

to be sympathetic to the party's aims

Russian newspapers are largely sympathetic to the president.

3.

( of a person ) easy to like :

a sympathetic character in a novel

I don't find her a very sympathetic person.

HELP NOTE : This meaning is not very common and you should use likeable or pleasant instead.

OPP unsympathetic

►  sym·pa·thet·ic·al·ly adverb :

to smile at sb sympathetically

We hope this application will be treated sympathetically (= it will be approved) .

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WORD ORIGIN

mid 17th cent. (in the sense relating to an affinity or paranormal influence ): from sympathy , on the pattern of pathetic .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.