Definition

1. Noun:
   • A feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune: A compassionate emotional response to another person's suffering or difficult situation.
   • Understanding between people; a common feeling: A relationship or affinity where people share similar feelings, interests, or understandings, often leading to mutual support.
   • Support for or approval of an idea or cause: A general inclination to agree with or be loyal to a particular opinion, group, or set of principles.

Usage and Examples

• Expressing compassion:
  • She felt deep sympathy for the families of the victims.
  • I have no sympathy for people who cheat the system.
• Indicating shared understanding or affinity:
  • There was a strong sympathy between the two artists; they understood each other's work perfectly.
  • The political candidate enjoyed the sympathy of the working class.
• Showing support or agreement:
  • His sympathies have always lain with the conservative movement.
  • Public sympathy for the strike is growing.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To be in sympathy with": To be in agreement with or supportive of a person, idea, or cause.
  • The committee was largely in sympathy with the proposed changes.
• "To express/extend one's sympathy": To formally offer words of compassion, often in response to a death or tragedy.
  • We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
• "A sympathy strike": A strike by workers not directly involved in a dispute, undertaken in support of another group of strikers. (Note: This is a compound noun listed here as an example of advanced usage).
  • The union called for a sympathy strike across the transportation sector.

Variants and Related Words

• Sympathetic (adjective): Feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy.
  • He was very sympathetic when I explained my problem.
• Sympathize (verb): To feel or express sympathy.
  • I sympathize with your frustration, but the rules must be followed.
• Sympathizer (noun): A person who sympathizes with a particular cause or group.
  • The regime arrested known political sympathizers.

Synonyms

• Compassion: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
• Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. (Note: Often considered deeper and more personal than sympathy).
• Condolence: An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
• Fellow feeling: A feeling of shared interest or understanding.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To have/feel sympathy for": To feel pity or compassion towards someone.
  • I feel a lot of sympathy for anyone who loses their job.
• "A letter/note/card of sympathy": A written message expressing condolences.
  • She sent a beautiful card of sympathy when my father passed away.
• "A sympathy vote": A vote given to a candidate or party out of pity rather than strong support for their policies.
  • Some analysts believe she gained a sympathy vote after the negative media attacks.

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