# sympathy

/ˈsɪmpəθi/ (US) · /sˈɪmpəθi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sympathy
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. pity for others

noun · CEFR B2

the feeling of being sorry for someone who is in a bad situation.

For teachers: the feeling of pity or sorrow for the distress of another person. Uncountable in its general sense, though 'sympathies' may be used in formal condolences.

- I felt great sympathy for the families who lost their homes in the flood.
- The community expressed profound sympathy for the victims, organizing a fundraiser to help them recover from the tragedy.

### 2. agreement or support

noun · CEFR B2

support for or agreement with an idea, organization, or person.

For teachers: an inclination to support or agree with a particular opinion, cause, or party. Often used with the preposition 'with'.

- Many young people have a lot of sympathy with the environmental movement.
- Despite his official neutrality, the diplomat's private sympathies lay clearly with the rebel forces seeking democratic reform.

### 3. formal condolences

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

formal expressions of sadness sent to someone after a death.

For teachers: formal expressions of regret or sorrow, typically offered to a bereaved person. Almost always used in the plural form in this context.

- We sent a card to the family to offer our deepest sympathies.
- The Prime Minister sent his deepest sympathies to the families of the soldiers lost in the recent conflict.

Usage: Usually appears as 'deepest sympathies' or 'sincere sympathies'.

## Examples

- I have a lot of sympathy for her situation.
- The manager expressed her sympathy for the staff members who lost their homes during the flood.
- While the protagonist is technically a criminal, the author writes with such nuance that the reader cannot help but feel a deep sympathy for his tragic upbringing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.