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Definition of empathy

empathy

/ˈɛm.pə.θi/
em · pa · thy
Adverb:empathically
•
Plural:empathies
•
Adjective:empathic
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empathy Lexical Profile

empathy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The ability to understand, share, and vicariously experience the feelings, thoughts, and perspectives of another person.

Example

"Having gone through a similar loss herself, she was able to offer genuine empathy to her grieving friend."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for empathy
Antonyms
View all antonyms for empathy

Word Nuance & Usage

Empathy is often distinguished from 'sympathy': empathy involves sharing and understanding another person's feelings from their own perspective, whereas sympathy involves feeling pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune from an outside perspective.

• Nearby Words

empathically
empathize
empathizer
empathy
emperor
emperor penguin
emphasis

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 20th century by psychologist Edward B. Titchener as a translation of the German aesthetic term Einfühlung ('feeling into'), modeled on Ancient Greek empatheia ('passion' or 'physical affection'), from en- ('in') and pathos ('feeling').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Empathy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/empathy
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