What is the difference between Empathy and Sympathy? em·pa·thy /ˈempəTHē/ noun the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another's position. sym·pa·thy /ˈsimpəTHē/ noun feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. Sympathy is the perception, understanding, and reaction to the distress