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 song and video aim to build understanding and empathy, showing that mealtimes can look different for every family. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 5 Aug. 2026 In fact, skills like empathy, influence, and the ability to read the room—things AI cannot yet do with accuracy and facility—are already becoming more valuable. — Matt Abrahams, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 As Cohn did before him, Trump likes to frame his anti-establishment politics of resentment as empathy for the working class. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Telling this story from a child’s perspective is a way of trying to revive empathy for people who are often dehumanized by the way they are portrayed. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for empathy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathy

Noun

Those words have taken on a chilling resonance as commenters debate whether Hilton deserves sympathy.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Flowers are fragile, temporary and traditionally associated with personal moments of celebration, sympathy or affection.

— Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

There’s probably a part of her that understands the extent to which she’s been robbed of her life, but pity isn’t the word for it.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Before the recording was played, Judge William Sullivan warned jurors not to allow sympathy, anger, passion or pity to influence their verdict.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of pity

Noun

This math curriculum, designed around state grade-level standards, prioritizes deeper understanding, rather than memorization, to help students develop conceptual understanding over time, said district spokesperson James Canning.

— Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026
But doing so can unlock new understandings of what the vagus nerve does and how its role changes over time.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of understanding

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“Empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathy. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of empathy

noun

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