sympathy
sympathy — noun
1. a sincere feeling of sadness and concern you have when you learn that someone is
a sincere feeling of sadness and concern you have when you learn that someone is experiencing pain, trouble, or misfortune, along with a wish to help or comfort them.
Evelyn felt deep sympathy for the children who had lost their home in the flood.
collocation: deep sympathy / feel sympathy for
The letter from the retired teacher was full of sympathy for Gita's situation.
preposition pattern: sympathy for [situation]
When Quan learned about the accident, he showed genuine sympathy by visiting the hospital.
A little sympathy from her coworkers helped Renata get through the difficult week.
The whole neighborhood offered sympathy and practical help after the fire destroyed the garage.
- compassion
stronger emotional drive to actively help; less common in everyday speech
- pity
can feel condescending or distanced; sympathy sounds warmer and more supportive
- concern
broader — can describe worry without sadness, while sympathy specifically involves shared sorrow
- indifference
lack of interest or concern; the opposite of caring about someone's suffering
文法句型
sympathy + for + person
sympathy + for + situation
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'for' to name either the person (sympathy for him) or the difficulty (sympathy for his situation). Unlike 'empathy,' this sense does not require sharing the same feeling — it describes concern from an outside perspective.
常見錯誤
2. a formal or written expression of sadness sent to someone whose close relative o
a formal or written expression of sadness sent to someone whose close relative or friend has recently died, intended to offer comfort during their grief.
Omar wrote a note of sympathy to Haruto after hearing about his grandmother's passing.
pattern: note/letter of sympathy to [person]
The manager sent a bouquet of flowers with a card expressing the team's sympathy.
verb: express (one's) sympathy
Kemi received many messages of sympathy from former classmates at the funeral.
Bao visited the family home personally to offer his sympathy to Takeshi's widow.
Their sympathy was deeply appreciated by the Chen family during the memorial service.
- condolences
more formal; almost exclusively used for deaths; 'sympathy' is slightly warmer and more personal
- commiseration
less common; can feel old-fashioned or overly formal
文法句型
(one's) sympathy + to + person
sympathy + for + loss/death
message/letter/card + of + sympathy
用法筆記
Almost always appears in fixed expressions: 'offer/extend one's sympathy,' 'a message/letter of sympathy,' or 'sympathy card.' This sense is closely associated with funerals and bereavement. Avoid using it for non-death misfortunes (use sense 1 instead).
常見錯誤
3. agreement with or approval of a particular opinion, plan, or set of beliefs, oft
agreement with or approval of a particular opinion, plan, or set of beliefs, often shown by supporting a cause or position publicly.
Rania has some sympathy with the idea of a four-day work week.
pattern: have sympathy with [idea]
The senator expressed sympathy for the environmental bill during the debate.
pattern: express sympathy for [cause/bill]
Quan found little sympathy among his colleagues for the proposed budget cuts.
Tamar's sympathy with the workers' demands was no secret in the office.
The new policy won sympathy from parents who had long asked for shorter school days.
- opposition
active disagreement with an idea or cause
文法句型
sympathy + with + idea/cause/opinion
have + sympathy + with/for
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: sense 3 refers to approval of an idea, cause, or belief (sympathy with a proposal), while sense 4 is about loyal, often personal support for a person or group through hard times.
常見錯誤
4. steady loyalty or backing given to a person, team, or organization, especially w
steady loyalty or backing given to a person, team, or organization, especially when they are facing difficulty or criticism.
Fans remained in sympathy with the coach despite ten straight losses.
phrase: in sympathy with [person/group]
Eleni's sympathy for the old hospital never wavered, and she volunteered there every weekend.
Minh stayed in sympathy with the project leader despite the budget problems.
Amelia showed her sympathy for the struggling shop by buying groceries there every week.
The community expressed sympathy for the library by donating books and funds.
- solidarity
stronger political/group dimension; implies shared risk or action
- allegiance
more formal and often implies a duty-based loyalty
- backing
more active and practical; can include financial or organizational help
- hostility
active opposition or unfriendliness toward a person or group
文法句型
in sympathy with + person/group
sympathy + for + person/group
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the phrase 'in sympathy with' + person/group. Unlike sense 3 (agreement with ideas), this sense describes loyalty to people or institutions, often demonstrated through ongoing support or action.
常見錯誤
5. a work stoppage by employees who are not themselves in a dispute but want to sta
a work stoppage by employees who are not themselves in a dispute but want to stand together with colleagues who have already walked off the job.
The warehouse staff walked out in sympathy with the striking drivers.
phrase: walk out in sympathy with
Niran's union voted to strike in sympathy after the hospital cleaners were locked out.
phrase: strike in sympathy
Christopher refused to cross the picket line out of sympathy with the striking nurses.
A sympathy strike by the train drivers forced the company back to the negotiating table.
- solidarity action
broader term covering any supportive work stoppage, not just strikes
文法句型
in sympathy with + striking workers
sympathy strike
walk out + in sympathy
用法筆記
Almost always used in the prepositional phrase 'in sympathy with' or as the compound noun 'sympathy strike.' Uncommon in everyday conversation; appears mostly in labor-relations news reporting. This sense is more common in British English than American English.
常見錯誤
6. a natural bond of understanding and closeness between people who share similar t
a natural bond of understanding and closeness between people who share similar tastes, opinions, or emotional responses, so that they easily sense what the other is thinking or feeling.
Yael and Vivek discovered a deep sympathy when they met at the book club.
collocation: deep/natural sympathy between [people]
The two musicians played in perfect sympathy, each anticipating the other's tempo changes.
phrase: in perfect sympathy
Omar felt an instant sympathy with Theo because they both loved hiking and camping.
A natural sympathy grew between the nurses who worked the night shift together.
Gita's sympathy with her new colleagues made the transition to the new job surprisingly smooth.
- affinity
closer in meaning — a natural liking or attraction; sympathy emphasizes emotional understanding more than mere liking
- rapport
focuses on smooth communication and mutual understanding; sympathy adds an emotional-harmony dimension
- harmony
broader — can apply to sounds, colors, or relationships; sympathy specifically describes a meeting of minds or feelings
- empathy
the ability to feel what someone else feels; sympathy in this sense is about shared orientation rather than shared emotion
文法句型
sympathy + between + people
in sympathy + with + person
deep sympathy
用法筆記
This sense goes beyond simple agreement — it describes a deeper, almost instinctive harmony between people. Often used in artistic or collaborative contexts ('in perfect sympathy'). Less common in everyday conversation than senses 1 or 3. Distinguish from sense 1 (concern for suffering) which requires a misfortune.