hyperempathy

English

Alternative forms

• hyper-empathy

Etymology

hyper- +‎ empathy

Noun

hyperempathy (uncountable)

1. (psychology) The state of having an above-average level of empathy, or of experiencing empathy more intensely than others.
   • 2020, Sarah Jaquette Ray, A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet, page 107:

     And hyper-empathy about others' suffering can get in the way of our ability to function.

   • 2023, Davida Hartman, Tara O'Donnell-Killen, Jessica K. Doyle, Maeve Kavanagh, Anna Day, Juliana Azevedo, The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach, page 54:

     Despite this, research to date has largely ignored the Autistic experience of hyper-empathy.

   • 2024, Essy Knopf, Neurodivergent Game Plan: Cheat Codes for Empowered Living, unnumbered page:

     Hyper-empathy not only motivates their [autistics'] involvement but also enhances their ability to make meaningful and significant contributions to these causes.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:hyperempathy.

Related terms

• hyperempathetic