Sympathetic

Definition

Sympathetic refers to feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy, which is an understanding and support towards someone else's situation or feelings. It also relates to a division of the autonomic nervous system which increases the rate of activity of bodily processes.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Noun (specifically in reference to the sympathetic nervous system)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/
• Respelling: sim-puh-THET-ik (with "sim" as in "simmer," "puh" as a schwa sound like the 'a' in "sofa," "THET" as in "theft," and "ik" as in "pick")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/
• Respelling: sim-puh-THET-ik (similar to American English, with "sim" as in "simmer," "puh" as a schwa, "THET" like in "theft," and "ik" as in "pick")

In both dialects, "sympathetic" is pronounced with the primary stress on the "THET" syllable. The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English, accurately reflecting the word's phonetic structure.

Etymology

The word "sympathetic" comes from the Greek word "sympatheia", where "syn-" means together with and "-patheia" refers to feelings or suffering.

Derivatives

• Sympathetically (adverb)
• Sympatheticness (noun)
• Sympathetic system (noun)
• Sympathetic vibration (noun)
• Sympathetic magic (noun)

Synonyms

• Compassionate
• Understanding
• Supportive

Antonyms

• Unsympathetic
• Cold-hearted
• Indifferent

Usage

The term "sympathetic" is often utilized to describe an understanding and supportive attitude towards someone else's situation or feelings. In a medical or physiological context, "sympathetic" often refers to the sympathetic nervous system which is a part of the autonomic nervous system.

Related Terms

• Empathy
• Compassion
• Sympathetic nervous system
• Autonomic nervous system
• Parasympathetic

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Compassionate: Showing, feeling, or expressing sympathy.
• Example: Her sympathetic demeanor comforted him in tough times.

• Medical: Relating to the sympathetic nervous system.
• Example: Sympathetic responses are part of the body's fight or flight reaction to stressful situations.

• Harmonious: Agreeing with, similar to, or approving of something.
• Example: The judge was sympathetic to the defendant’s situation.

Noun

• Medical: Referring to the sympathetic nervous system.
• Example: The sympathetic is responsible for the body's response to stressful or emergency situations.