/ 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 .