Sympathy vs. Condolence: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on February 5, 2024
Sympathy is a feeling of pity or compassion for someone's suffering, while condolence is an expression of sympathy, especially in the event of death.
Difference Between Sympathy and Condolence
Sympathy and condolence are both sentiments that address pain, grief, and suffering, but they function differently in communication. Sympathy is a broader term that represents a feeling or understanding of another person's pain or sorrow. When someone expresses sympathy, they're essentially saying they can relate to or feel for another's emotional state. However, condolence is a more specific term that refers to the expression of sympathy, especially in response to someone's death.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
You might feel sympathy upon hearing a sad story, seeing someone go through a tough situation, or observing any event that evokes compassion. It's a genuine internal feeling of empathy and concern. While, condolence is what you might formally express or say to someone who has lost a loved one. It's a way to acknowledge the loss and provide comfort.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
The origin of the word sympathy is from the Greek "sympatheia," which means "shared feeling." This shared feeling can be towards any emotion or situation, be it happiness, sadness, or any other emotional state. On the other hand, condolence is derived from the Latin word "condolere," meaning "to suffer together." It's inherently linked with mourning and grief.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
In day-to-day language, sympathy is versatile and can be used in various contexts, whereas condolence is more specific, mostly reserved for bereavements. You'd express sympathy for a range of misfortunes – from minor inconveniences to major life events. Condolences, however, are expressions directed towards someone mourning a death.
Leo
Feb 05, 2024
Finally, while sympathy can be silently felt and not necessarily expressed, condolence by its nature requires conveyance. It's an action, whether verbal, written, or through gestures, to acknowledge and comfort someone in their time of grief.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Sympathy vs. Condolence Comparison Chart
Definition
A feeling of compassion for someone's suffering
An expression of sympathy for a loss
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Origin
Greek "sympatheia" (shared feeling)
Latin "condolere" (to suffer together)
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Sympathy vs. Condolence Definitions
◉Sympathy
Sympathy is a feeling of compassion towards someone's misfortune.
Her heart was full of sympathy when she saw the homeless man.
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Sep 06, 2023
◉Condolence
Condolence can be a formal acknowledgment of grief.
The community sent a letter of condolence to the grieving family.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 06, 2023
◉Sympathy
Sympathy is understanding and sharing another's emotions.
He felt sympathy for his friend's struggle with anxiety.
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Sep 06, 2023
◉Condolence
Condolence is an expression of sorrow for someone's loss.
She sent a card of condolence after hearing of his father's passing.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 06, 2023
◉Sympathy
Sympathy can be an affinity or harmony between things.
There's a sympathy between the colors that makes the room feel cohesive.
Olivia
Sep 06, 2023
◉Condolence
Condolence is a demonstration of sympathy during bereavement.
Attending the funeral was a way to show her condolence.
Lucas
Sep 06, 2023
◉Sympathy
Sympathy represents a shared feeling or sentiment.
Their sympathy for each other's challenges strengthened their bond.
Lucas
Sep 06, 2023
◉Condolence
Condolence is a gesture to comfort someone mourning a death.
Offering his condolence, he shared a story about the deceased.
Henry
Sep 06, 2023
◉Sympathy
A feeling of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; commiseration.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
Condolence represents shared suffering in the face of death.
His words of condolence were heartfelt and sincere.
Nolan
Sep 06, 2023
◉Sympathy
often sympathies An expression of such feeling
offered her sympathies to the mourning family.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
Sympathy with a person who has experienced pain, grief, or misfortune
paid a visit of condolence to the grieving family.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Mutual understanding or feeling between people
"Like two frightened children, we sought at the same time to comfort one another, so quick was the sympathy between us" (Nicholas Meyer).
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May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
often condolences An expression or declaration of such sympathy.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Agreement with or support for an opinion or position
The mayor is in sympathy with the proposal.
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May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
(uncountable) Comfort, support or sympathy.
There was not much to do after the accident but offer what condolence I could.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
often sympathies A tendency to support a position or opinion
a politician of conservative sympathies.
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May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
An expression of comfort, support, or sympathy offered to the family and friends of somebody who has died.
I sent her a card expressing my condolences after her mother passed away.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
A relationship or affinity between things in which whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other
"Continuous measurements of ionospheric densities ... showed a variation of noon ionization in sympathy with sunspot activity" (E.V. Appelton).
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May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
Expression of sympathy with another in sorrow or grief.
Their congratulations and their condolences.
A special mission of condolence.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
(Physics) A relation between bodies such that vibrations in one body cause sympathetic vibrations in another.
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May 03, 2023
◉Condolence
an expression of sympathy with another's grief;
they sent their condolences
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
(Physiology) A relation between parts or organs by which a disease or disorder in one induces an effect in the other.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
A feeling of pity or sorrow for the suffering or distress of another.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
(in plural) The formal expression of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Inclination to think or feel alike; emotional or intellectual accord; common feeling.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Feeling of loyalty; tendency towards, agreement with or approval of an opinion or aim; a favorable attitude.
Many people in Hollywood were blacklisted merely because they were suspected of Communist sympathies.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
An affinity, association or mutual relationship between people or things such that they are correspondingly affected by any condition.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Mutual or parallel susceptibility or a condition brought about by it.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Feeling corresponding to that which another feels; the quality of being affected by the affection of another, with feelings correspondent in kind, if not in degree; fellow-feeling.
They saw, but other sight instead - a crowdOf ugly serpents! Horror on them fell,And horrid sympathy.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
An agreement of affections or inclinations, or a conformity of natural temperament, which causes persons to be pleased, or in accord, with one another; as, there is perfect sympathy between them.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion.
I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
The reciprocal influence exercised by organs or parts on one another, as shown in the effects of a diseased condition of one part on another part or organ, as in the vomiting produced by a tumor of the brain.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each other; as, the sympathy between the loadstone and iron.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Similarity of function, use office, or the like.
The adverb has most sympathy with the verb.
Fault,Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wroughtCommiseration.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion;
his sympathies were always with the underdog
I knew I could count on his understanding
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish)
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
a relation of affinity or harmony between people; whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other;
the two of them were in close sympathy
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May 03, 2023
◉Sympathy
Sympathy is an inclination to support or be loyal to someone.
Out of sympathy for her cause, he donated generously.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 06, 2023
Sympathy vs. Condolence Frequently Asked Questions
Is it correct to say "I feel condolence for you"?
The more appropriate phrasing would be "I offer my condolences to you."
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
How is condolence used when someone passes away?
Condolence is an expression of sympathy directed at someone grieving a death.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Can sympathy be for positive feelings too?
While sympathy typically relates to feelings of sorrow, it can also mean understanding or sharing any emotion.
William
Feb 05, 2024
How do you typically express condolence?
Condolences can be expressed through words, cards, gestures, or attending memorial services.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Which word has a broader range of use?
Sympathy has a broader range of use, whereas condolence is more specific to situations of mourning.
Jonathan
Feb 05, 2024
Is condolence only related to death?
While condolence can be used more broadly, it's most commonly associated with expressing sympathy for someone's loss due to death.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
What does sympathy mean in emotions?
Sympathy is a feeling of compassion or understanding for someone else's pain or sorrow.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Can you feel sympathy without expressing it?
Yes, sympathy can be silently felt without necessarily being expressed.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Can you send a "sympathy card" for reasons other than death?
Yes, sympathy cards can be for various misfortunes, but condolence cards are specifically for bereavement.
Kaitlyn
Feb 05, 2024
How are sympathy and condolence different in action?
While sympathy can be a silent sentiment, condolence inherently involves an action or expression towards someone in mourning.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 05, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
