define sympathetic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "define sympathetic" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking for a definition or explanation of the term "sympathetic." For example, "Can you define sympathetic in the context of emotional responses?" Alternative expressions include "explain sympathetic" and "clarify sympathetic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A limitation in the use of [C]HED biodistribution to define sympathetic nervous system defects is the inability to delineate the mechanistic cause of the abnormality.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Alexander and Mr. Mathias are certainly skilled at defining sympathetic characters in song.

The New York Times

As Tom Wingfield, Christopher Pfund moves easily between narration and action, and his attractive tenor helps define a sympathetic character, torn between his allegiance to his mother and sister and his desire to break free of them.

The New York Times

These characteristics define cardiac sympathetic dominance in offspring of obese dams in relation to both the inotropic and chronotropic response.

Endocrinology

Even in this muddle, Mr. Modine is so good that he magically defines the sympathetic Newman, who made his fortune manufacturing washtubs and soap and then moved on to building railroads.

The New York Times - Arts

Can there be a 'malevolent compassion'?" My appellant -- a member of an elite group of tautology-spotters that calls itself the Squad Squad -- noted that Merriam-Webster's 10th Collegiate Dictionary defines compassion as "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it".

The New York Times - Magazine

Future studies will be needed to define the ability of the sympathetic nervous system to regulate MAT formation, lipolysis, and apoptosis.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Will the Massachusetts health care bill signed into law by Mr. Romney define him forever in the eyes of conservatives as sympathetic to big government?

The New York Times

But even those sympathetic to the idea of a best-practices code say it is harder to define than it might appear.

The New York Times

Impaired cardiac sympathetic innervation was defined as late heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR) < 2.0.

European Radiology Experimental

According to the International Neuroblastoma (NB) Pathology Classification, NBs are defined as embryonal tumors of the sympathetic nervous system, derive from the neural crest and arise in the adrenal medulla, paravertebral sympathetic ganglia, and sympathetic paraganglia [ 1].

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In literary or social analysis, use this phrase to establish the boundaries of empathy or likability for a specific subject or character.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without contextual clues. In technical writing, failing to distinguish between the biological "sympathetic" and the emotional "sympathetic" can lead to significant reader confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define sympathetic" acts as an imperative verb phrase or an infinitive construction. According to Ludwig, it is used to establish semantic or biological boundaries. It functions as a bridge between an abstract concept and a concrete explanation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "define sympathetic" is a highly versatile and correct linguistic tool. It serves two distinct primary functions: requesting a biological definition of the sympathetic nervous system or characterizing an individual's capacity for compassion and empathy. Data from Ludwig shows a strong presence in academic and scientific fields, where precision is paramount. While exact matches for the specific imperative string are less common than descriptive variations, its meaning remains unmistakable across all professional contexts. Ludwig AI suggests using it when clear parameters are needed for complex concepts, ensuring that the reader understands whether the focus is on clinical physiology or human emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain sympathetic

Swaps the formal request for a definition with a broader request for an explanation.

clarify sympathetic

Focuses on resolving ambiguity regarding the meaning of the term.

describe sympathetic

Moves from a purely semantic definition to a more detailed description of characteristics.

characterize sympathetic

Commonly used in literature or sociology to define traits rather than dictionary meanings.

interpret sympathetic

Focuses on the subjective analysis of what being sympathetic entails in a specific scenario.

meaning of sympathetic

A noun-based approach to seeking the same semantic information.

specify sympathetic

Demands technical precision, often used in medical or biological research contexts.

elucidate sympathetic

A highly formal, scholarly alternative for explaining a concept in detail.

articulate sympathetic

Focuses on the ability to express or put into words what the term means.

outline sympathetic

Suggests a brief or structured overview of the term's meaning.

FAQs

What does it mean to "define sympathetic"?

To "define sympathetic" means to explain the precise meaning of the word, whether as a biological term (the nervous system) or as a description of compassion. You can also use "explain sympathetic" to get a broader overview.

Can I say "clarify sympathetic" instead?

Yes, "clarify sympathetic" is an excellent choice if the term has been used and you need a more specific or precise understanding of how it applies in that instance.

How do I use "define sympathetic" in a sentence?

You might use it in a request: "Could you please "define sympathetic" as it relates to this specific biological study?" or as a statement: "We must first "define sympathetic" character traits before writing the screenplay."

Is there a more formal way to say "define sympathetic"?

In academic or research papers, you might prefer "characterize sympathetic" or "elucidate sympathetic" for a more sophisticated tone.