sympathy

/'simpəθi/

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Understanding the Word "Sympathy"

Definition:
"Sympathy" is a noun that describes a feeling of care and understanding for someone else's feelings, especially when they are sad or going through a hard time. It can also refer to a connection or agreement between people.

Usage Instructions:

• "Sympathy" is often used when you want to express your understanding of someone else's emotions or difficulties.
• You can show sympathy through words, actions, or gestures.

Examples:

1. Basic Example: When my friend lost her pet, I sent her a card to show my sympathy.
2. Advanced Example: The community expressed their sympathy for the victims of the disaster by organizing a fundraiser.

Word Variants:

• Sympathize (verb): To feel or express sympathy. Example: I sympathize with you during this tough time.
• Sympathetic (adjective): Showing or having sympathy. Example: She was very sympathetic when I told her my problems.

Different Meanings:

1. Emotional Understanding: Feeling sadness or compassion for someone else's pain.

   • Example: His sympathy for the injured player was clear when he offered help.

2. Agreement or Support: When you agree with someone's opinions or support their actions.

   • Example: She expressed her sympathy for the protestors' cause.

Synonyms:

• Compassion
• Understanding
• Pity
• Empathy (though empathy is a deeper understanding of someone’s feelings)
• Support

Idioms:

• "In sympathy with": This means to agree with someone or share their feelings. Example: The organization is in sympathy with the cause of climate change awareness.

Phrasal Verbs:

While "sympathy" itself doesn't have specific phrasal verbs, you might hear phrases like: - "Feel for someone": To feel sympathy for someone.
Example: I really feel for her; she’s going through a tough time.

Summary:

In summary, "sympathy" is about understanding and caring for others' feelings, especially in difficult situations. You can use it in various contexts, whether you're comforting a friend or expressing support for a cause.

Academic

Noun

1. a relation of affinity or harmony between people; whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other
   • the two of them were in close sympathy
2. sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish)
3. an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
   • his sympathies were always with the underdog
   • I knew I could count on his understanding

Synonyms

• fellow feeling
• understanding