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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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 The obscene pay of CEOs, growing 20 times as fast as workers’ pay last year, and the obscene wealth in the tech world, with money cascading into the hands of greedy billionaires who lack empathy or even noblesse oblige. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 As well as realization that everyone deserves love, empathy, and forgiveness. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Kaling brought it back around to praising Poehler and Fey for their support, particularly at a time when empathy around fuller figures was scarce. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 Love and empathy Dog School started in 2009, when former schoolteacher Adrienne Olivier was volunteering at a local animal shelter and conducting outreach activities in schools and other community spaces. — Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for empathy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathy

Noun

Allstate and Hartford Insurance also rose more than 2% in sympathy.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Frandel offered no sympathy for Sochor’s advanced age, pointing out that Sochor’s father will turn 99 this year.

— David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

And that’s a pity, because birthright citizenship brings many practical benefits to the United States today—arguments that the nation needs to hear, given the campaign being mounted against it.

— Amanda Frost, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
That is truly a pity because this brilliant thinker revolutionized both mathematics and physics.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 June 2026

Definition of pity

Noun

Beyond helping during traumatic calls, Lopez, Domino’s handler, said bringing him to a scene represents an effort to show residents a different side of law enforcement, one built around compassion and trust.

— Verónica Egui Brito July 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Food for thought Guests are also offered food for thought in workshops on topics like mindfulness, self-compassion over self-criticism, finding your why and how to get better sleep.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of compassion

Noun

Pannakara’s discourses on mindfulness and kindness in churchyards, town squares and in front of the Lincoln Memorial drew large, diverse crowds.

— Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026
Guitars take the place of shovels, as Henry now repays Carlos’ kindness by helping to save the land that Carlos assumes is ravaged.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

Transits through the strait had risen after the lifting of the previous US blockade and the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
This gives the system an understanding of how real indoor spaces are arranged and how everyday objects are typically placed.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of understanding

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“Empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathy. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of empathy

noun

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