noun
sympathy
SIHM-puhth-ee
noun
1
A feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else's suffering or misfortune.
"She sent a card expressing her sympathy after his father passed away."
"He felt deep sympathy for the flood victims."
2
Shared feeling, agreement, or support for an idea, cause, or person.
"The union voiced its sympathy for the striking workers."
How to Use Sympathy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling sorry for someone, or sharing their feelings and supporting their side.
Common mistake
Not the same as empathy — sympathy is feeling sorry FOR someone, while empathy is understanding what they feel, almost as if from the inside.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
express sympathy
sympathy card
have sympathy for
Word Forms
sympathies plural
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She sent a card expressing her _____ after his father passed away.
Etymology
From Greek sympatheia, "fellow feeling," from syn- ("together") + pathos ("feeling").