arouse sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"arouse sympathy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in various situations and contexts, such as: 1. The charity organization's campaign video was designed to arouse sympathy among viewers, urging them to donate for the cause. 2. The protagonist's tragic backstory was meant to arouse sympathy from the readers and make them empathize with her struggles. 3. The politician's speech was carefully crafted to arouse sympathy from the public, highlighting the challenges faced by the marginalized communities. 4. The documentary aimed to arouse sympathy towards endangered species and raise awareness about the need for conservation efforts. 5. The young boy's tearful plea for help aroused sympathy in the passersby, who stopped to offer him assistance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They tend to arouse sympathy for the victim, and might even help sell the book.

The New York Times

One item on the list, for example, would expedite high-speed rail service from Schenectady to New York City -- hardly the sort of idea to arouse sympathy in Congress.

The New York Times

Their aim was to arouse sympathy.

The New Yorker

Using polls, focus groups and advertising, the coalition has selected and promoted causes that might arouse sympathy among Americans.

The New York Times

The official said the shooting of the boy was not typical of terrorists, who sometimes try to limit injuries to children and young people, knowing that such casualties can arouse sympathy for victims and undercut the intended political message.

The New York Times

But I can't accept their questioning — on the basis of the goals and motives they attribute to Hezbollah — of the validity of a photograph that could arouse sympathy for the Lebanese.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Throughout the book, Hari Kunzru has pursued an odd strategy of alternately arousing sympathy for his hero and quashing it.

The Guardian - Books

If K. had been calmer, he might have aroused sympathy in Paris and increased the annoyance of the British & French over our series of gaffes.

The New Yorker

Ms Liu's microblog postings about her experiences aroused sympathy among internet users and helped launch the recent wave of independent candidacies.The party is not united, though.

The Economist

Attempts to terminate the essentially passive sit-in often appear brutal, thus arousing sympathy for the demonstrators among moderates and noninvolved individuals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ailment: Distrust of outsiders Cure: The Island by Armin Greder That someone fleeing civil war or a natural disaster can start their journey a victim, arousing sympathy, and end it an interloper, arousing distrust, is a tragedy of our age.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arouse sympathy", ensure that the context clarifies the reason for the sympathy and avoids manipulative or overly sentimental language.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on emotional appeals using "arouse sympathy" without providing factual information or logical reasoning, as this can weaken your argument and appear manipulative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse sympathy" functions as a verb phrase where 'arouse' is the transitive verb and 'sympathy' is the direct object. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is frequently employed to describe the act of eliciting or invoking feelings of compassion and understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

23%

Books

10%

Less common in

Reference

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arouse sympathy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to evoke feelings of compassion and understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as encyclopedias. To use it effectively, it's important to provide clear context and avoid manipulative language. Related phrases such as "evoke compassion" and "inspire empathy" can offer alternative ways to express the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspire empathy

Focuses on fostering a deeper understanding and sharing of feelings.

evoke compassion

Focuses on eliciting compassion rather than just sympathy.

stir compassion

Emphasizes a more profound and active stirring of compassionate feelings.

create a sense of compassion

Emphasizes the active creation of compassionate feelings.

elicit pity

Implies a stronger emotional response, often suggesting a sense of sorrow or misfortune.

draw forth pity

Similar to 'elicit pity' but with a more evocative tone.

generate concern

Highlights the creation of worry or interest in someone's well-being.

provoke understanding

Highlights a forceful elicitation of understanding and acceptance.

foster understanding

Stresses the development of comprehension and acceptance.

invite commiseration

Suggests a call for shared sorrow or grief.

FAQs

How can I use "arouse sympathy" effectively in my writing?

To effectively use "arouse sympathy", provide a clear and genuine context that justifies the emotion. Avoid overly sentimental or manipulative language, and ensure that the appeal to sympathy complements, rather than replaces, factual information and logical reasoning.

What are some alternatives to "arouse sympathy" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "evoke compassion", "inspire empathy", or "generate concern" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to try to "arouse sympathy" in my audience?

No, it is not always appropriate. Using "arouse sympathy" should be done ethically and responsibly. Ensure the situation warrants such an emotional response and that you are not exploiting someone's misfortune for personal gain or manipulative purposes.

What is the difference between "arouse sympathy" and "manipulate emotions"?

"Arouse sympathy" aims to create understanding and compassion for a situation, while "manipulate emotions" involves exploiting feelings, often dishonestly, to achieve a specific goal. The key difference lies in the intent and ethical considerations behind the communication.