Empathy - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves seeing things from another’s perspective and responding with care and compassion.
Definition:
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Synonyms:
compassion, understanding, sympathy, sensitivity
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
indifference, apathy
Common Collocations:
show empathy, feel empathy, lack of empathy, deep empathy
Derivatives:
empathetic, empathize
Usage Tips:
Use "empathy" when describing someone's ability to emotionally connect with others' experiences or feelings.
Common Phrases:
walk in someone's shoes, feel for someone, put yourself in their place
Etymology:
From Greek "empatheia," meaning "physical affection or passion," later adapted to emotional understanding in German "Einfühlung."
Examples:
- 1. She showed great empathy when her friend was upset.
- 2. Teachers need empathy to understand their students' struggles.
- 3. His lack of empathy made him seem cold and distant.
- 4. Empathy helps build strong relationships with others.