Sympathy vs. Condolence: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Sympathy is the feeling of pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune, while condolence is the expression of sympathy, often in the context of a death.
Key Differences
Sympathy involves feelings of compassion and empathy for another's situation. Condolence is the act of expressing these feelings, often in the form of a message or gesture.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy can be felt in various situations of sorrow or hardship. Condolences, however, are typically expressed specifically in response to someone's death.
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Dec 26, 2023
Feeling sympathy can be a private, internal emotion. Offering condolences is an external, social action, communicating sympathy to others.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy doesn't necessarily need to be expressed; it can be a silent, empathetic understanding. Condolences are usually conveyed through words, cards, or gestures.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy can be a lasting emotion, felt over time. Condolences are often given soon after the event causing sorrow, especially in the case of a death.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Sympathy and Condolence Definitions
Sympathy
An understanding of another's feelings.
He felt sympathy for his friend's struggle with illness.
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Dec 26, 2023
Condolence
A message conveying sympathy in sorrow.
She received numerous condolences from friends after her father passed away.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy
A shared feeling of grief or sorrow.
The community's sympathy for the victims was overwhelming.
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Dec 26, 2023
Condolence
A gesture of comfort to someone grieving.
His words of condolence at the funeral were deeply appreciated.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy
Empathy or compassion for another's situation.
His sympathy for the homeless led him to volunteer at the shelter.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Condolence
An expression of sympathy, especially for a death.
They sent a card of condolence to their neighbor who had lost her husband.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy
Feeling compassion for someone's misfortune.
Her sympathy for the family's loss was evident in her kind words.
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Dec 26, 2023
Condolence
Comfort offered to someone in mourning.
The condolence bouquet reflected their sincere sympathies.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy
A feeling of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; commiseration.
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Oct 19, 2023
Condolence
An act of expressing sorrow for someone's loss.
The community sent letters of condolence to the bereaved family.
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Dec 26, 2023
Sympathy
Often sympathies An expression of such feeling
Offered her sympathies to the mourning family.
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Condolence
Often condolences An expression or declaration of such sympathy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
Agreement with or support for an opinion or position
The mayor is in sympathy with the proposal.
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
Often sympathies A tendency to support a position or opinion
A politician of conservative sympathies.
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
(Physics) A relation between bodies such that vibrations in one body cause sympathetic vibrations in another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Condolence
An expression of sympathy with another's grief;
They sent their condolences
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
A feeling of pity or sorrow for the suffering or distress of another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
(in plural) The formal expression of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
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Sympathy
Inclination to think or feel alike; emotional or intellectual accord; common feeling.
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
Mutual or parallel susceptibility or a condition brought about by it.
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion.
I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each other; as, the sympathy between the loadstone and iron.
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 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
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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
Sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish)
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Oct 19, 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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Oct 19, 2023
Sympathy
Emotional support for someone in distress.
She offered her sympathy during his difficult time.
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Dec 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are condolences only for deaths?
Primarily, yes. Condolences are mostly expressed in the context of death.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can sympathy lead to action?
Absolutely, sympathy often motivates acts of kindness or support.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is sympathy a form of empathy?
Yes, it's a type of empathy where one shares in another's feelings.
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Dec 26, 2023
Should condolences be immediate?
It's customary to offer condolences soon after learning of the death.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is sympathy always positive?
Yes, it's a compassionate and empathetic emotion.
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Dec 26, 2023
Do cultural differences affect condolences?
Yes, expressions of condolence can vary significantly across cultures.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can sympathy be expressed without words?
Yes, sympathy can be a silent emotional understanding.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can sympathy exist without personal experience?
Yes, one can feel sympathy without having experienced the same situation.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is it possible to feel too much sympathy?
Excessive sympathy can lead to emotional burnout or over-involvement.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is there a protocol for offering condolences?
While there are common practices, the most important aspect is sincerity.
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Dec 26, 2023
Are verbal condolences more meaningful?
The sincerity behind the expression matters more than the form.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can sympathy lead to charitable acts?
Often, sympathy inspires people to help those in difficult situations.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can condolences be misinterpreted?
Sometimes, if not expressed thoughtfully, they can be seen as insincere.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is it okay to feel sympathy for oneself?
Self-compassion is a form of sympathy and is healthy in moderation.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can sympathy change over time?
Yes, the intensity and focus of sympathy can evolve.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can children understand condolences?
Yes, but their comprehension depends on their age and maturity.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is it necessary to respond to condolences?
A response is not mandatory, but acknowledging received condolences can be comforting.
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Dec 26, 2023
Are electronic condolences appropriate?
They can be, depending on the relationship and circumstances.
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Dec 26, 2023
Should sympathy always be expressed?
Not always; sometimes, respecting privacy is more appropriate.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Are written condolences common?
Yes, written messages are a common and respectful way to express condolences.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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