empathy

Definition of empathy

The ability to deeply understand, identify with, and share the emotions or perspectives of another person, often by imagining oneself in their situation.

Origin of empathy

Language of origin: Greek

Root word: empatheia

Original meaning: passion or feeling

How it evolved: From 'en-' (in) + 'pathos' (feeling, suffering), it evolved in German as 'Einfühlung' and later entered English to describe emotional resonance.

Derived from German 'Einfühlung,' meaning 'feeling into,' empathy entered English in the early 20th century to describe the psychological process of experiencing the feelings of another.

First known use: 1909

How to Remember empathy

Think of 'empathy' as 'Entering someone's Path,' where you mentally walk in their shoes to understand their feelings.

Synonyms for empathy

• compassion
• understanding
• sensitivity
• affinity
• sympathy
• fellow feeling
• rapport
• kindness

Antonyms of empathy

• apathy
• indifference
• insensitivity
• detachment
• disregard

empathy in a Sentence

1. Her remarkable empathy allowed her to connect with individuals from vastly different cultural backgrounds, making her an exceptional diplomat.
2. The novel’s protagonist demonstrated profound empathy, feeling the anguish and joy of those around her as if they were her own emotions.
3. As a therapist, cultivating empathy is essential to understanding the unspoken struggles of clients and guiding them toward healing.

empathy in Literature & Culture

Empathy often appears in literature and speeches as a call for understanding and unity, such as in Martin Luther King Jr.'s advocacy for racial equality and in Harper Lee’s 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'

Usage Notes

Empathy is distinct from sympathy; while empathy involves 'feeling with' someone, sympathy often implies 'feeling for' someone, with a degree of emotional distance.

Why empathy Matters for GRE & SAT

Empathy is a frequently tested word on the GRE due to its relevance in understanding human behavior, relationships, and emotional intelligence, which are key themes in analytical writing and reading comprehension sections.

Word Family

empathetic (adjective)

Showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

empathize (verb)

To understand and share another person's feelings.

empath (noun)

A person who is highly sensitive to the emotions of others.

Did You Know?

• Psychologists distinguish between cognitive empathy (understanding another's perspective) and emotional empathy (sharing their feelings).
• The concept of empathy has been explored in philosophy since the 18th century, notably by thinkers like Adam Smith in 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments.'
• Empathy plays a critical role in leadership, therapy, and conflict resolution, making it a cornerstone of emotional intelligence.

Related Words

• ebullient — cheerful and joyful
• eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
• echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
• eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
• eclipse — overshadow or surpass

More Vocabulary Words Starting with E

• ebullient — cheerful and joyful
• ebullient — cheerful and joyful
• eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
• eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
• echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
• echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
• eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
• eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
• eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
• eclipse — overshadow or surpass