sympathy: 1. feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune; 'they had great sympathy for the flood victims' 2. understanding between people; common feeling. 'the special sympathy between the two boys was obvious to all' empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. 'the victims should be treated with compassion' (as given by google)