"That comment is just saying you can understand the changes empathetically" That's not what they mean when they say empathy. They misuse empathy when they mean

"That comment is just saying you can understand the changes empathetically" That's not what they mean when they say empathy. They misuse empathy when they mean compassion. I think they do it because even they understand it's indecent to say they pity all of these people. empathy: The ability to identify with or understand another's situation or feelings compassion: Deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by the wish to relieve it.