medium
The sympathetic coach listened after the player missed the goal.
What does Sympathetic mean?
Sympathetic means showing care or understanding when someone else feels hurt or sad.
Dictionary definition
Showing care or understanding when someone else feels hurt or sad.
Example sentences
Sympathetic in a sentence
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice sympathetic in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Practice the meaning of Sympathetic
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does sympathetic mean?
Sympathetic means showing care or understanding when someone else feels hurt or sad.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to sympathetic?
Understanding is close in meaning to sympathetic in this context.
Practice 3
Which sentence best shows the meaning of sympathetic?
This sentence gives clues that show the meaning of sympathetic.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Sympathetic
Voice settings
Sounds like
sim · puh · thet · ik · strongest beat: thet
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordSympathetic.
Partadjective.
MeaningSympathetic means showing care or understanding when someone else feels hurt or sad.
ExampleExample: The sympathetic coach listened after the player missed the goal.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- sim · puh · thet · ik
- Strongest beat
- thet
- Ending
- ik
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on thet.
Your turn
Say Sympathetic
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced sympathetic.
Synonyms
Words like Sympathetic
understandingUse when someone shows care for another person's feelings.
Antonyms
Opposite words
uncaringUse when someone shows little concern.
Synonym practice
Want to practice sympathetic synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The sympathetic friend listened kindly," then compare close word choices. Practice sympathetic synonyms.
Word family
Sympathetic word family
Base word
sympathy
adverb
sympathetically
In a caring or understanding way.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Sympathetic
Hint for students
Look for clues that show care for someone else's hurt or sadness.
Common mix-up
Sympathetic is more than noticing; it means responding with care.
Try it in class or at home
Read the model sentence and underline the clue words that show the feeling or trait. Then write a new sentence that shows sympathetic without using the word sympathetic.
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The sympathetic coach listened after the player missed the goal." What clues show what sympathetic means?
Word category
Explore more feelings words
This word is part of WordHive's feelings words collection. Browse more emotion words, compare close meanings, and practice using them in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Sympathetic and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice SYMPATHETIC” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice SYMPATHETIC
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with SYMPATHETIC
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
Choose the meaning that fits and get instant feedback.
Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice SYMPATHETIC
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes SYMPATHETIC.
Practice SYMPATHETIC
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words