Empathy or Sympathy?
Empathy or Sympathy?
What is the difference between "empathy" and "sympathy"?- "Empathy" means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another (having shared the same, or a similar, experience).
- "Sympathy" means feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.


More about "Empathy" and "Sympathy"
Writers often confuse "empathy" and "sympathy." These two words are similar in meaning, but they are not the same. If you use the wrong one, you will either change the meaning of your sentence or be spotted as someone who doesn't know the difference.A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing the difference between empathy and sympathy:Empathy
The noun "empathy" means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. This ability usually derives from having shared the same, or a similar, experience. For example, you can have empathy for a poor person if you are, or were, poor.More examples:
- I have empathy for your problem. I've been there.
- Empathy is at the heart of the actor's art.
(Actress Meryl Streep)
- The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.
(also Meryl Streep)
- Friendship is a living thing that lasts only as long as it is nourished with kindness, empathy, and understanding.
(anon)
- I can empathize with you. I've been there.
- He will empathize with you. He managed the same department for ten years.
Sympathy
The noun "sympathy" means feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. For example:- You have my utmost sympathy. You trained like a demon for that race.
- I would like to extend my sympathy to your son. I am sorry to hear of the death of his goldfish.
- The vicar will sympathize with you. She knows how hard you trained.
- It's hard not to have sympathy with their claims.
- It's clear from her inaction that she sympathizes with their cause.
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?