Sympathy or Empathy: Understanding Human Connection

Sympathy is the ability to comprehend another person's emotions, while empathy is when a person deeply feels another's emotions.

People often use the words "I empathize with you", or "I sympathize with you" when a situation has negatively affected their acquaintances or loved ones. However, despite its common usage, many people view sympathy and empathy as similar in meaning. Both deal with emotional engagement, but they are not the same, so it's crucial to know the nuanced difference between both.

How do sympathy and empathy differ?

While sympathy might be likened to a gentle acknowledgment of another's emotions, empathy delves into the profound realm of shared feelings between people.

What is sympathy?

Sympathy allows one to recognize another's distress or joy, without necessarily experiencing those emotions firsthand.

Synonyms: concern, kindness, condolence, caring

Example sentence

She expressed her sympathy for the family who had lost their home in the fire.

In this sentence, the word "sympathy" is used to convey a feeling of compassion or concern for someone else's difficult situation. The speaker is expressing their understanding and support for the family who experienced the loss of their home due to a fire.

More example sentences

In a gesture of sympathy, they sent a bouquet of flowers to express their condolences for their friend's loss.
Her eyes were filled with sympathy as she listened to her neighbor recount the challenges they were facing.
The community's outpouring of sympathy provided a sense of comfort to the family coping with tragedy.
With deep sympathy, he reached out to his coworker who was dealing with a personal crisis.
The sympathy cards lining the mantle served as a reminder of the support from friends and family.
Expressing sympathy, she offered a listening ear and a warm hug to her friend during their time of sorrow.
The charity's work garnered sympathy from donors who wanted to contribute to its noble cause.
Through messages of sympathy, people from all around the world offered their thoughts to those affected by the disaster.
She extended her sympathy by cooking meals for her neighbor who was recovering from surgery.
The counselor's words of sympathy helped ease the client's anxiety and provided a sense of understanding.

What is empathy?

Empathy, on the other hand, transcends mere recognition; it involves deeply understanding and sharing the emotional state of another, often to the point of feeling their emotions like their own.

Synonyms: shared feelings, emotional connection, emotional resonance.

Example sentence

Through her empathy, she could sense the sadness in her friend's voice even before any words were spoken.

In this sentence, the word "empathy" is used to describe the ability of the person being referred to. Empathy goes beyond sympathy; it means that the person can not only understand but also feel and share the emotions of another.

More example sentences

With genuine empathy, she shared in her friend's excitement as they achieved their long-held dream.
Through empathy, he could sense the anxiety in her voice even before she spoke about her worries.
Having gone through a similar situation, her empathy allowed her to offer practical advice and emotional support.
The therapist's empathy created a safe space for clients to openly discuss their deepest concerns.
He displayed empathy by volunteering at the local shelter, connecting with the homeless residents on a personal level.
She showed empathy by validating her colleague's feelings and offering her assistance without judgment.
His empathy led him to collaborate closely with his team members, understanding their individual challenges.
The novel's protagonist's journey evoked empathy in readers, as they could relate to her struggles.
Through empathy, the artist captured the raw emotions of the subjects, conveying their stories through their artwork.
By practicing empathy, parents can foster a stronger bond with their children and better understand their needs.

Historical origins of the words empathy and sympathy.

Sympathy was a term that started to be commonly used since the 16th century, and originates from the Greek word sympathēs, which means "having common feelings. Empathy has its roots in sympathy and started to be used in the early 20th century, form a translation of the German word Einfühlung(“feeling-in” or “feeling into”).

Practice questions

Upon hearing about her friend's loss, she expressed her heartfelt sympathy/empathy and offered her support.
Through active listening, she displayed her empathy/sympathy by understanding her friend's feelings without judgment.
The community came together to show their sympathy/empathy for the victims of the natural disaster.
His personal experience with anxiety allowed him to connect on a deeper level and offer genuine empathy/sympathy.
He sent a card to convey his sympathy/empathy to his coworker who was going through a difficult time.
The therapist's ability to practice empathy/sympathy created a safe space for clients to share their innermost thoughts.
The teacher showed sympathy/empathy to the student who was struggling by providing extra help and understanding.
The organization's volunteers demonstrated their sympathy/empathy by providing meals and assistance to those in need.
By putting herself in their shoes, she demonstrated true empathy/sympathy and provided comfort during their hardships.
The actor's portrayal of the character's struggles evoked empathy/sympathy from the audience, who could relate to the emotions.

If you still are unsure about which to use, try out Engram where you can submit your English sentences to get immediate feedback and suggestions based on how native English speakers write.