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empathy Definition

em·pa·thy (empə t̸hē)

noun

  1. the projection of one's own personality into the personality of another in order to understand the person better; ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts, or feelings
  2. the projection of one's own personality into an object, with the attribution to the object of one's own emotions, responses, etc.

Etymology: < Gr empatheia, affection, passion < en-, in + pathos, feeling: used to transl. Ger einfühlung (< ein-, in + fühlung, feeling)

empathy Synonyms

empathy

n.

vicarious emotion, insight, understanding, compassion; see pity 1.

empathy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • evoke: Hislop evokes real empathy for her characters ' battles with the ' curse ' of leprosy.
  • feel: Hopper invites us to feel empathy with the woman in her isolation.
  • demonstrate: In order to be considered trustworthy, you must be able to demonstrate empathy.
  • develop: In business, you develop empathy simply by putting your customer first.
  • express: Programs like " Food Not Bombs " do not express empathy, they express pity.
  • show: The empathy shown by Emma Darwin, who had lost a daughter ten years earlier, formed a lasting bond between the two women.

Adjective modifier

  • imaginative: Heller's surprising ability to get into the mind of a middle-aged spinster also illustrates her strong talent for imaginative empathy.
  • genuine: He seems to have a genuine empathy with the part.
  • emotional: First, children need to develop emotional empathy for the creatures of the natural world.
  • deep: On a personal level there is difficulty in expressing deep emotions, but they can have deep empathy for others.
  • natural: He saw us clear, rooted us in natural empathy.
  • great: No, there was no great empathy despite the skilled writing.

Modifies a noun

skill: Literacy costumes can develop role play and empathy skills.

Noun used with modifier

  • victim: A report by a probation officer of 18 August 2000 indicates that " Darren has a clear sense of victim empathy.
  • show: To be a good listener and show empathy with the individual's situation.

Preposition: with

  • character: He can make you feel great empathy with a lonely character who may or may not be a pedophile.
  • people: I thought empathy with young people should be at the top of the list, along with guidance.
  • child: It is a story which clearly illustrates the author's empathy with small children.
  • other: True communication calls for some shared life experiences and empathy with others.

Preposition: for

character: For the second time in recent memory I found myself with a lack of empathy for the characters.

Browse dictionary entries near empathy

  1. empathize
  2. empathic
  3. empathetic
  4. empanel
  5. empanada
  6. empale
  7. Emp
  8. emotive
  9. emotionalize
  10. emotionality
  1. Empedocles
  2. empennage
  3. emperor
  4. emperor penguin
  5. empery
  6. emphasis
  7. emphasize
  8. emphatic
  9. emphatically
  10. emphysema