sympathetic

/ˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/
adjective
  1. Showing that you understand and care about someone else's problems or feelings.
    • The community was sympathetic to the victims of the flood and donated money.
    • He gave her a sympathetic look as she described her loss.
    • My teacher was very sympathetic when I told her about my family's difficulties.
  2. Agreeing with or supporting a person, idea, or cause.
    • The newspaper's editor is sympathetic to environmental issues.
    • She found a sympathetic audience for her proposal at the meeting.
    • Many voters are sympathetic to the idea of better public transportation.
  3. Relating to the part of the nervous system that prepares the body for action or stress (the 'fight or flight' response).
    • Adrenaline is released by the sympathetic nervous system during exercise.
    • The sympathetic nervous system increases your heart rate when you are scared.
    • Sympathetic nerves cause your pupils to dilate in dim light.
What does "sympathetic" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean