Language Focus: Sympathy vs. Empathy

sympathynoun

A feeling of care and concern for someone who is suffering; you try to understand what they are going through, even though you may not have had the same experience yourself.

Examples

1 The manager sent a card and flowers to express his sympathy after hearing that her mother had passed away.
2 I have a lot of sympathy for people who struggle with public speaking — I can imagine how difficult it must be.
3 The family received an outpouring of public sympathy after the news reported on their missing child.
4 He said he was sorry to hear the news, but without any personal experience of loss, his sympathy could only go so far.

empathynoun

A deep understanding of another person's feelings because you have had the same, or a very similar, experience yourself.

Examples

1 Having gone through a contentious divorce herself, she had a lot of empathy for what her friend was now going through.
2 After living on the streets himself for two years, he had a lot of empathy for the plight of the homeless.
3 She knosw how exhausting new motherhood is — her empathy is squarely with the working-mothers in her workplace.
4 Growing up in poverty gave her a deep empathy for families who struggle to pay their bills.

Bonus: Empathize and Sympathize

Both words also appear as verbs — empathize and sympathize — and are used in the same contexts with the same distinction.

empathize

1 She could empathize with students who struggle with exam anxiety — her mind freezes up every time she has to take an exam.
2 A good manager needs to empathize with their employees' burnout to help them find a better work-life balance.

sympathize

1 I deeply sympathize with your family during this incredibly difficult time of loss.
2 I sympathize with your frustration over the new rules, even though I think they are necessary for safety.