EMPATHIES 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 Nurturing intergenerational teams and encouraging in-person interactions can further enhance empathy. — Sally Percy, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 But no one’s ever convinced me that empathy is in itself bad. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 In summer 2024, healthcare company Kaiser Permanente rolled out a tool that attempts to analyze nurses’ tone of voice and level of empathy during patient calls. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Jones says Bush Hager has taught her how to lead with empathy. — Parents, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for empathy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathy

Noun

But the superhero family eventually regains public sympathy for superheroes after defeating the evil Screenslaver (voiced by Catherine Keener).

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Burke Law also has close ties to, and ideological sympathies with, the Administration.

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 15 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

Coming-of-age films with variations of these characters and dynamics come around pretty often; rather more unusual are those written and played with this degree of care and compassion.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
The art of subtlety and nuance and true compassion and care for real-life people and real relationships is not a performance.

— Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of compassion

Noun

Through that in-person interaction, team members can gain a better understanding of priorities, expectations and how decisions are made.

— Don Weber, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
The memorandum of understanding that Washington and Tehran signed on June 17 to open Hormuz expired on Monday without a final deal.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of understanding

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“Empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathy. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of empathy

noun

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