sympathetic meaning and definition

SYMPATHETIC adjective

Definition of sympathetic (adjective)

1. of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
   • "sympathetic neurons"; "sympathetic stimulation"
2. expressing or feeling or resulting from sympathy or compassion or friendly fellow feelings; disposed toward
   • "sympathetic to the students' cause"; "a sympathetic observer"; "a sympathetic gesture"
   • antonym: unsympathetic
3. showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
   • "was charitable in his opinions of others"; "kindly criticism"; "a kindly act"; "sympathetic words"; "a large-hearted mentor"
   • synonyms: benevolent, charitable, good-hearted, kindly, large-hearted, openhearted
4. (of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings
   • "the sympathetic characters in the play"
   • synonyms: appealing, likable, likeable
   • antonym: unappealing
5. having similar disposition and tastes
   • "with their many similar tastes, he found her a most sympathetic companion"
6. relating to vibrations that occur as a result of vibrations in a nearby body
   • "sympathetic vibration"
   • synonyms: harmonic