EMPATHY Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

empathy

noun

Definition of empathy

as in compassion

the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotions He felt great empathy toward the poor.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of empathy In a second the players were there, every single player was there, stopping celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Accurso describes herself as having an overdeveloped sense of empathy. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026 Important skills that were historically undervalued, like empathy, listening and emotional intelligence, are now valued as real strengths. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 In rejecting his release in 2021, Newsom said Davis had continued to minimize his role in the crimes and shown a lack of empathy for his victims. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for empathy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathy

Noun

But his actions here — deflecting accountability, being vague yet defensive about his own politics — and his history with Kraft suggest his sympathies might not lie with the causes his opening acts stand for.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Tui Shipping, the boat's owner, provided a statement to VBTC expressing sympathy to those affected and acknowledging its responsibility for passenger safety, according to the broadcaster on Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

All eyes were trained in my direction, watching my every move, all conveying their pity.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Years later, Nelson is married to Linda (pity poor Tatyana Ali, saddled with an almost comically underwritten, saintly-supportive-partner role) and is raising her son as his own.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of pity

Noun

Several of my favorite poetry collections capture the nuanced process of breaking up, with its extreme states of longing, anger, and sorrow—while also expanding the capacity for joy, pleasure, and compassion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Your compassion turns into practical care as you tidy receipts, then release a worry that never helped.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of compassion

Noun

This theory is based on our understanding of the abilities of apes, as evidence suggest both chimpanzees and gorillas have gestural communication systems.

— Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026
Whether the China business can further develop these dimensions will depend on the local team’s understanding of individual city needs, as well as the ability of its stores and communities to consistently deliver high-quality experiences.

— Advertorial, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of understanding

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“Empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathy. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of empathy

noun

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