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

Jones has an enormous amount of sympathy for his father, who was totally in over his head.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
After Kean’s statement, Representative Ritchie Torres, who has spoken about his own treatment for depression, expressed sympathy but argued that long absences from public office deserve explanation.

— Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 1 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

On a much larger scale, psychedelic medicine could elevate our collective well-being and happiness, replacing systemic cycles of depression, anxiety, trauma and isolation with connectedness and compassion.

— Camille Hoffman, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
His journey in ‘Frame’ is about discovering where compassion fits within ambition and responsibility.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of compassion

Noun

All of us are invited to choose to become better human beings and to show up at work and in the world with increasing love, kindness, courage and forgiveness.

— Mikhail Shneyder, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
That instinct to lean into life with curiosity, optimism, and kindness is, perhaps, America's greatest attraction.

— Divia Thani, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

All entries will be evaluated based on creativity, distinctive color or music identity, and an understanding of global music trends.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Taking a trip out of town, perhaps to another city, state or country, will give you new philosophical meaning and understanding, Scorpio.

— Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of understanding

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“Empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathy. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of empathy

noun

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