Dictionary

sympathetically en · ADV

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /sɪmpəˈθɛtɪk(ə)li/ (UK)

Etymology

Etymology tree English sympathetical Middle English -ly English -ly English sympathetically From sympathetical + -ly.

Meanings

1. Owing to or showing evidence of sympathy, or affinity; happening through or demonstrating correspondences, whether occult or physiological.
   • I feel sure that here before me were assembled those, in whose unhealing hearts the sight of those bleak tablets sympathetically caused the old wounds to bleed afresh. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
2. In a manner which demonstrates a sharing in the feelings of others; compassionately.
   • Still she didn't stir, so he patted her shoulder and added sympathetically, 'Come now, don't take it so much to heart.' 1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 90:

Forms

Translations (3)

fi myötätuntoisesti (demonstrating a sharing in the feelings of others) · grc συμπαθῶς (demonstrating a sharing in the feelings of others) · fr sympathiquement (demonstrating a sharing in the feelings of others)