empathy

noun

Definition of empathynext
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 But across all the films, there’s a desire to approach these characters with great empathy. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The discovery of human remains encourages a more human connection with the past while fostering empathy for those left behind at the end of the battle. — Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 But Yates' story didn't elicit the same swell of empathy as Lindsay Clancy's has today. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 All three derived their empathy from a strong faith in Jesus — but also because that’s what small-town folks do. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for empathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathy
  1. sympathy
  2. pity
  3. compassion
  4. kindness
  5. understanding
Noun
  • These proposals, many times rooted in sympathy and love, were presented as alternatives to the political structures and market logic that had so often led to war, exploitation, hopelessness, and suffering.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The glories of some former age may be lamented, and our sympathies directed to parties judged righteous or wronged.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sympathy
Noun
  • Maceta, moved to pity at times, would put an ear to his friend’s chest and hear how Ruiz’s heart leaped about inside his body, as though trying to fly apart.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The actress was at a tipping point in her career, shifting from easily relatable protagonists to more complicated characters who didn’t require our affection or our pity.
    — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pity
Noun
  • The Kentucky native said Parton lived out her beliefs through compassion and generosity, even though some were critical of her glamorous image.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This triumvirate uses their voices, their power, their compassion to embody this virtuous cycle of generosity and reciprocity without forfeiting their personhood, bodies, or resources to anyone.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of compassion
Noun
  • If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • One wanted to build a machine to encourage a collective understanding of reality; the other a machine to dissolve trust.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The point, Forman suggested, was not to change anyone’s mind but to encourage better understanding and clearer thinking.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of understanding

Browse Nearby Words

empathizing (with)
empathy
emperor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathy. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on empathy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about empathy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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