What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relatable
Example
I find her struggles with anxiety very relatable. [relatable: adjective]
Example
The movie's themes of love and loss are relatable to many people. [relatable: adjective]
sympathetic
Example
She was very sympathetic when I told her about my problems. [sympathetic: adjective]
Example
The sympathetic character in the novel helped the protagonist through their struggles. [sympathetic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relatable is a more recent addition to the English language and is commonly used in informal contexts, such as social media. Sympathetic is a more established word and is used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between relatable and sympathetic?
Sympathetic is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Relatable, on the other hand, is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.
