sympathy toward

USAGE SUMMARY

"sympathy toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that evokes feelings of understanding, kindness, and compassion towards another person. For example: "His speech was filled with sympathy toward those affected by the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I do feel sympathy toward Verna.

The New Yorker

He recommends sympathy toward Angela Merkel, Germany's embattled chancellor.

The New York Times

He said that they had merely expressed sympathy toward consumers.

The New York Times

Or if they were, we'd never know, would we? Do you feel sympathy toward Verna?

The New Yorker

Often, he said, he feels sympathy toward migrants who come north to work.

The New York Times

Macri, a pro-business, right-wing leader, had previously shown little sympathy toward the activists' cause.

The New Yorker

Franzese expressed sympathy toward N.B.A. referees, because Donaghy has provided fodder for conspiracy theorists and cynics.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think the whole world felt sympathy toward America and its loss," Ms. Mayclin, 23, said.

The New York Times

Fascism achieved no formal political recognition in Australia, but there were hints of sympathy toward fascist attitudes D.H.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And even those inclined to feel sympathy toward Chinese authors seem disappointed that they're not pushing harder.

The New York Times

But in the summer war against the buzzing pests, Dr. Crans shows more than a little sympathy toward the enemy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathy toward" when you want to express a feeling of understanding and care for someone's misfortune or situation. It implies a sense of shared feeling and support.

Common error

While "sympathy toward" implies feeling sorry for someone, avoid using it interchangeably with "empathy", which suggests a deeper understanding and sharing of their feelings. Choose "empathy" when you're highlighting the ability to truly understand another person's experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathy toward" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a feeling of compassion, understanding, or sorrow directed at someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sympathy toward" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase expressing feelings of understanding and compassion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it's also common in encyclopedic and scientific sources. While synonyms like "empathy for" and "compassion for" exist, "sympathy toward" offers a specific nuance related to feeling sorrow for someone's situation. Remember to use it when you wish to convey a sense of shared feeling and support, and avoid confusing it with empathy, which implies a deeper understanding of the other person's experience. The phrase maintains a generally neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathy for

Highlights the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

compassion for

Emphasizes a deeper level of caring and concern.

commiseration with

Focuses on sharing in someone's suffering.

concern for

Stresses a worry or care about someone's well-being.

kindness toward

Highlights the act of being gentle and considerate.

tenderness toward

Suggests a gentle and affectionate feeling.

understanding of

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of grasping someone's situation.

benevolence toward

Emphasizes a desire to do good for someone.

solicitude for

Highlights attentiveness and care for someone's needs.

pity for

Implies a feeling of sorrow and perhaps condescension.

FAQs

How can I use "sympathy toward" in a sentence?

You can use "sympathy toward" to express feelings of understanding and care for someone's misfortune. For example, "I felt "sympathy toward" the victims of the natural disaster".

What's the difference between "sympathy toward" and "empathy for"?

"Sympathy toward" involves feeling sorry for someone, while "empathy for" involves understanding and sharing their feelings. Empathy is a deeper connection.

What are some alternatives to expressing "sympathy toward"?

You can use alternatives such as "compassion for", "understanding of", or "concern for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sympathy toward" formal or informal?

"Sympathy toward" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific audience and situation to ensure it aligns with the tone you want to achieve.