sympathetic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Showing that you understand and care about someone's feelings or problems.

   She gave me a sympathetic look when I told her the bad news.

2. 2
   adj

   Likely to make people feel kindly or supportive toward a character or person.

   The novel's hero is a warm and sympathetic character.

3. 3
   adj

   Willing to support or agree with an idea, cause, or person.

   The committee was sympathetic to our proposal.

4. 4
   adj

   Relating to the part of the nervous system that prepares the body for action.

   Fear triggers the sympathetic nervous system.

Mid 17th century in the sense “relating to an affinity or paranormal influence”, from Latin sympathēticus. By surface analysis, sympathy + -etic (“pertaining to”); compare pathetic. Displaced native Old English efnþrōwiende.

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