easy
Owen showed empathy by listening to how his friend felt.
What does Empathy mean?
Empathy means understanding another person's experience from their point of view.
Dictionary definition
The ability to understand another person's feelings, thoughts, or experience from that person's point of view, sometimes by imaginatively sharing the experience.
Example sentences
Empathy in a sentence
medium
Reading the diary helped the class develop empathy for its writer.
hard
Empathy begins with asking about another person's perspective instead of assuming it matches your own.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice empathy in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Empathy
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does empathy mean?
Empathy centers another person's feelings, thoughts, or experience rather than assuming they match your own.
Practice 2
Which response best demonstrates empathy?
The question invites the other person's perspective instead of assuming it.
Practice 3
Which statement correctly distinguishes empathy from compassion?
Empathy itself does not require action, although it can lead to compassion or help.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Empathy
Voice settings
Sounds like
em · puh · thee · strongest beat: em
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordEmpathy.
Partnoun.
MeaningEmpathy means understanding another person's experience from their point of view.
ExampleExample: Owen showed empathy by listening to how his friend felt.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- em · puh · thee
- Strongest beat
- em
- Ending
- thee
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on em.
Your turn
Say Empathy
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Synonyms
Words like Empathy
understandingThe closest everyday substitute when it means grasping another person's feelings or perspective.
perspective-takingA psychology term for considering a situation from another person's point of view; it may focus more on thoughts than feelings.
fellow feelingUse for shared emotional understanding; it is less common and more literary.
Antonyms
Opposite words
insensitivityA strong contrast for failing to notice or respond to another person's feelings.
indifferenceA qualified contrast for lack of interest or concern, though a person may understand feelings without caring.
Synonym practice
Want to practice empathy synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Maya showed empathy when her friend felt nervous," then compare close word choices. Practice empathy synonyms.
Word family
Empathy word family
Base word
empathy
adjective
empathic
Showing or involving empathy.
adjective
empathetic
A common alternative to empathic with the same core meaning.
verb
empathize
To understand or imaginatively share another person's feelings or experience.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Empathy
Hint for students
Look for an effort to understand feelings, thoughts, or experiences from the other person's frame of reference.
Common mix-up
Empathy does not require feeling exactly the same emotion, agreeing with the person, or fixing the problem. It also does not automatically include the desire to help that compassion emphasizes.
Try it in class or at home
Students replace assumption-based responses with open questions, then explain how each revision helps them understand the speaker's point of view more accurately.
Teacher prompt
Ask students to compare understanding a person's perspective, sharing an emotion, feeling concern, and offering help. Which responses show empathy, sympathy, or compassion?
Word category
Explore more feelings words
This word is part of WordHive's feelings words collection. Browse more emotion words, compare close meanings, and practice using them in sentences.
Learning activities
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