SYMPATHY Meaning and
Definition
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Sympathy is a noun that refers to the feeling of understanding, compassion, and shared emotions towards someone who is experiencing pain, suffering, or hardship. It is a genuine and heartfelt response, in which an individual acknowledges and identifies with the emotions and struggles of another person, often resulting in a desire to provide comfort or support.
Having sympathy involves recognizing the emotional state of someone else, acknowledging their distress, and showing concern or care for their well-being. It is an empathetic response, where one attempts to place themselves in the same emotional position as the person they are sympathizing with. Sympathy is a deeply human response that connects individuals, fostering a sense of solidarity and understanding among people.
While sympathy involves understanding and compassion, it differs from empathy in that sympathy focuses on sharing emotions and offering support, rather than directly experiencing or feeling the same emotions as the other person. Sympathy can arise in various contexts, including personal relationships, interactions with strangers, or even in response to fictional characters in literature or films.
Expressing sympathy often involves gestures of comfort or consolation, such as offering kind words, listening attentively, providing help, or extending acts of kindness. Overall, sympathy is an important aspect of human connection, as it allows individuals to connect emotionally with one another, offering understanding and support during challenging times.
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1. The mutual relation, physiological or pathological, between two organs, systems, or parts of the body. 2. Mental contagion, as seen in the spread of chorea or other nervous disease through a school, the yawning induced by seeing another person yawn, etc.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Other Common Misspellings for SYMPATHY
Etymology of SYMPATHY
The word "sympathy" has its roots in Greek. It comes from the combination of two words: "sym", which means "together", and "pathos", which means "feeling" or "suffering". In Greek, the term "sympatheia" referred to a feeling of affinity, empathy, or shared suffering with others. This term was later borrowed into Latin as "sympathia" and eventually entered English as "sympathy" in the 16th century.
Idioms with the word SYMPATHY
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tea and sympathy
The idiom "tea and sympathy" refers to offering emotional support, comfort, and empathy to someone who is going through a difficult time or experiencing hardships. It implies providing a listening ear, understanding, and a comforting environment to help someone feel better and find solace.
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one's deepest sympathy
The idiom "one's deepest sympathy" is an expression used to convey one's sincere and heartfelt condolences in a time of grief or loss. It signifies the utmost compassion and understanding one has towards someone experiencing a difficult situation or the loss of a loved one.
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extend one's sympathy (to someone)
The idiom "extend one's sympathy (to someone)" means to express compassion, understanding, or support towards someone who is experiencing a difficult or distressing situation.
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extend one's sympathy (to sm)
The idiom "extend one's sympathy (to someone)" means to express understanding, compassion, and support towards someone who is going through a difficult time or experiencing hardship. It involves offering condolences, comfort, and a willingness to help or provide assistance in any way possible.
Similar spelling words for SYMPATHY
