What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Relative vs Sympathetic - What's the difference?

relative | sympathetic |

As adjectives the difference between relative and sympathetic

is that relative is connected to or depending on something else; comparative while sympathetic is of, related to, showing, or characterized by sympathy.

As a noun relative

is someone in the same family; someone connected by blood, marriage, or adoption.

relative

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Connected to or depending on something else; comparative.
  • * 2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “ Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, BBC Sport:
    • For Liverpool, their season will now be regarded as a relative disappointment after failure to add the FA Cup to the Carling Cup and not mounting a challenge to reach the Champions League places.
  • Expressed in relation to another item, rather than in complete form.
    • ''The relative URL /images/pic.jpg, when evaluated in the context of http&
  • x3A;//example.com/docs/pic.html, corresponds to the absolute URL http://example.com/images/pic.jpg.
  • (grammar) That relates to an antecedent.
  • (music) Having the same key but differing in being major or minor.
  • Relevant; pertinent; related.
    • relative to your earlier point about taxes, ...
  • Capable to be changed by other beings or circumstance; conditional.

    • Synonyms

    * comparative * conditional * limited

    Antonyms

    * absolute * unlimited

    Related terms

    * relatively * relativity * relativize * relativization

    Derived terms

    * relative to

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone in the same family; someone connected by blood, marriage, or adoption.
    • Why do my relatives always talk about sex?
  • (linguistics) A type of adjective that inflects like a relative clause, rather than a true adjective, in certain Bantu languages.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Related terms

    * relate * relation * relationship * relativism * relativity

    See also

    * aunt * brother * cousin * father * godparent * grandchild * granddaughter * grandson * great-grandchild * great-grandparent * in-law * mother * niece * nephew * parent * refer * referral * sister * stepdaughter * stepson * uncle

    Anagrams

    * ----

    sympathetic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * sympathetick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, related to, showing, or characterized by sympathy.
    • John looked very upset. I gave him a sympathetic look.
  • Of or relating to similarity.
    • Sympathetic magic is based on imitation or correspondence.

    Antonyms

    * unsympathetic

    Derived terms

    * parasympathetic nervous system * sympathetic nervous system