| Library / English Dictionary |
SYMPATHETIC
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Relating to vibrations that occur as a result of vibrations in a nearby body
Example:
sympathetic vibration
Synonyms:
harmonic; sympathetic
Classified under:
Similar:
harmonious (musically pleasing)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
Example:
a large-hearted mentor
Synonyms:
benevolent; charitable; good-hearted; kindly; large-hearted; openhearted; sympathetic
Classified under:
Similar:
kind (having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having similar disposition and tastes
Example:
with their many similar tastes, he found her a most sympathetic companion
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
similar (marked by correspondence or resemblance)
Derivation:
sympathy (a relation of affinity or harmony between people; whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Expressing or feeling or resulting from sympathy or compassion or friendly fellow feelings; disposed toward
Example:
a sympathetic gesture
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
commiserative (feeling or expressing sympathy)
condolent (expressing sympathy with a person who experienced the death of a loved one)
empathetic; empathic (showing empathy or ready comprehension of others' states)
Also:
compassionate (showing or having compassion)
congenial (suitable to your needs)
kind (having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior)
Antonym:
unsympathetic (not sympathetic or disposed toward)
Derivation:
sympathy (an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion)
sympathy (sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish))
Sense 5
Meaning:
(of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings
Example:
the sympathetic characters in the play
Synonyms:
appealing; likable; likeable; sympathetic
Classified under:
Adjectives
Domain category:
drama (the literary genre of works intended for the theater)
Antonym:
unsympathetic ((of characters in literature or drama) tending to evoke antipathetic feelings)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
Example:
sympathetic stimulation
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Domain category:
anatomy; general anatomy (the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals)
physiology (the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms)
Pertainym:
sympathetic nervous system (originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels)
Context examples:
Bretylium tosylate is selectively taken up into peripheral nerve terminals and initially causes a release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings, thereby causing a sympathomimetic effect.
(Bretylium Tosylate, NCI Thesaurus)
Any one of the three sympathetic ganglia of the cervical vertebrae.
(Cervical Ganglia, NCI Thesaurus)
Natural or synthetic beta adrenergic antagonists selectively or non-selectively blocking or diminishing physiologic beta-adrenergic agonist actions on the sympathetic system.
(Beta-Adrenergic Antagonist, NCI Thesaurus)
The enteric, parasympathetic, and sympathetic nervous systems taken together.
(Autonomic nervous system, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
Natural or synthetic Alpha-adrenergic Agonists selectively bind to and activate alpha adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, mimicking the actions of natural sympathomimetic neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and related substances).
(Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist, NCI Thesaurus)
In addition, this agent inhibits alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors, resulting in a reduction in sympathetic stimulation of the heart, a negative chronotropic effect, and a decrease in myocardial oxygen demands.
(Amiodarone, NCI Thesaurus)
Atropine functions as a sympathetic, competitive antagonist of muscarinic cholinergic receptors, thereby abolishing the effects of parasympathetic stimulation.
(Atropine, NCI Thesaurus)
A neurologic syndrome following injury of the spinal sympathetic nerves of the neck.
(Cervicocranial Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)
Clonidine binds to and stimulates central alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, thereby reducing the amount of norepinephrine (NE) release and thus decreasing sympathetic outflow to the heart, kidneys, and peripheral vasculature.
(Clonidine, NCI Thesaurus)
A sympathetic ganglion located at the sixth cervical vertebral level.
(Middle Cervical Ganglion, NCI Thesaurus)
