Definition
Showing understanding and compassion for the feelings and experiences of others.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
Understanding, compassionate, sympathizing, understanding, caring
Antonyms
Unsympathetic, uncaring, unfeeling, insensitive, cold-hearted
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | empathies, empathy |
| Verb | empathizing, empathized, empathise, empathize, empathizes |
| Adjective | empathetic |
| Adverb | empathetically |
Example Sentences
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As a therapist, Sarah’s empathetic nature allows her to deeply understand and connect with her clients, providing them with a safe space to express their emotions.
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The teacher showed an empathetic response when she noticed the student’s struggle, offering a listening ear and providing support to help them overcome their challenges.
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In times of crisis, it is essential to have empathetic leaders who can understand and relate to the experiences of others, offering comfort, guidance, and solutions.
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Mark’s empathetic nature shone through as he volunteered at the local shelter, taking the time to listen to the stories of the homeless and offering genuine compassion and assistance.
Usage
The word “empathetic” is an adjective that is used to describe someone who has the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is derived from the word “empathy,” which is a noun that refers to the ability to understand and share the emotions of others.
The prefix “em-” in “empathetic” is derived from the Greek word “en,” which means “in” or “inside.” This prefix emphasizes the idea that an empathetic person is able to get “inside” the feelings of another person and understand them on a deep level. The root word “path” comes from the Greek word “pathos,” which means “suffering” or “emotion.” This root emphasizes the emotional aspect of empathy and the ability to understand the feelings of others.
There are other variations of the word “empathetic” that use different prefixes or suffixes. For example, the prefix “a-” can be added to “empathetic” to create the word “aempathetic,” which means the opposite of empathetic. Similarly, the suffix “-y” can be added to “empathetic” to create the noun “empathy,” which refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
In usage, “empathetic” is a positive and desirable trait that is often associated with kindness, understanding, and emotional intelligence. People who are empathetic are often good listeners, able to understand and validate the emotions of others, and provide support and comfort when needed. In interpersonal relationships, empathy is an important quality that can help build trust, deepen connections, and foster intimacy.
However, it’s important to note that empathy is not the same as sympathy. While empathy involves understanding and sharing the emotions of another person, sympathy involves feeling sorry for someone or offering condolences. An empathetic person might feel the same emotions as someone else, while a sympathetic person might simply offer words of comfort without truly understanding the other person’s feelings.
In conclusion, “empathetic” is an important term that highlights the ability to understand and share the emotions of others. It is derived from the Greek word “en” and the root “path,” and it is often used in a positive context to describe people who are kind, understanding, and emotionally intelligent. By practicing empathy, people can build stronger relationships, deepen connections, and provide support and comfort to those around them.