Word: Empathy
Part of Speech: Noun
Pronunciation: /ˈempəTHē/
Category: General
Empathy Definition
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves experiencing another person's point of view, rather than just one's own, and enables us to respond to others in a more understanding and caring way.
Example Sentences
- She showed great empathy towards the flood victims.
- His months spent researching prison life gave him greater empathy towards convicts.
- Empathy is often lacking in today's society.
- His empathy for her loss was apparent in his comforting words.
- The nurse's empathy was comforting to the patient.
- In order to be a good counselor, you need to have empathy.
- Her empathy for animals compelled her to become a veterinarian.
Synonyms (Similar Words)
Antonyms (Opposite Words)
Idioms and Phrases
- Put oneself in someone else's shoes – To imagine or try to understand what someone else is experiencing
- Walk a mile in someone's shoes – To spend time trying to consider or understand another person's perspectives, experiences, or motivations before making a judgment about them
Word Origin and History
The term 'empathy' originated from the German term 'Einfühlung' and was translated to English in the early 20th century. It relates to the idea of feeling into someone else's emotions.