absence of empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"absence of empathy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or behavior where someone lacks the ability to understand or share the feelings of others. Example: "His absence of empathy made it difficult for him to connect with his colleagues." Alternative expressions include "lack of empathy" and "deficiency of empathy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"Addictions lead some to an absence of empathy," says Seligman.

The Guardian - Film

"Evil, I think, is the absence of empathy".

The New York Times

But violence flows from more than the absence of empathy.

The New Yorker

The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.

The New York Times

The absence of empathy fosters antisocial behavior, coldblooded murder, genocide.

The New York Times - Health

Arfin's glibness about this country's racial realities suggested a disinterest in history and absence of empathy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It is possible that the autism spectrum condition group would therefore exhibit less empathy as a result of their partner profiles, even in the absence of any true empathy deficit.

Brain

There's the absence of remorse and empathy, the grandiose self-worth (he's reportedly enjoying the infamy), the cold planning, the glibness.

The Guardian

Rasoal [ 22] points to how relationships in health care with clients from different ethno-cultural groups can be understood in terms of the presence or absence of ethno-cultural empathy.

BMC Medical Education

This subgroup has a distinct affective and interpersonal style, including a lack of empathy, an absence of remorse and a tendency to use others for personal gain.

British Journal of Psychiatry

And in the absence of answers, I found empathy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, clearly defining what constitutes "empathy" within your specific context will strengthen the impact of using the phrase "absence of empathy".

Common error

While accurate, "absence of empathy" can sound overly formal in everyday discussions. Consider using simpler terms like "lack of understanding" or "insensitivity" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of empathy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to identify and describe a state or condition, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absence of empathy" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a lack of understanding or sharing of feelings. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most commonly found in news and media and science contexts. While effective for precise and formal communication, it can be replaced by alternatives like "lack of compassion" or "emotional detachment" in more casual settings. Recognizing its formal tone and choosing the most appropriate context is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of compassion

Focuses specifically on the lack of sympathetic feeling or concern.

lack of understanding

Highlights the deficiency in comprehending another person's situation or feelings.

emotional detachment

Emphasizes the state of being disconnected from one's own or others' emotions.

callousness

Implies a hardened insensitivity toward others' suffering.

insensitivity

Refers to a general lack of awareness or consideration for others' feelings.

failure to connect

Highlights the inability to form meaningful emotional bonds with others.

disregard for others

Focuses on the lack of consideration or respect for the feelings of others.

indifference to suffering

Specifically points to a lack of concern about the pain or distress of others.

unresponsiveness

Describes a lack of reaction or emotional engagement in response to others' needs.

apathy

Signifies a general lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "absence of empathy" in a sentence?

You can use "absence of empathy" to describe a lack of understanding or sharing of feelings. For example: "The politician's policies demonstrated an absence of empathy for the working class."

What's the difference between "absence of empathy" and "lack of empathy"?

While both phrases are similar, "absence of empathy" might be used in more formal or clinical contexts, whereas "lack of empathy" is generally suitable for everyday language.

What are some other phrases I can use instead of "absence of empathy"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of compassion", "emotional detachment", or "callousness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "absence of empathy" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "absence of empathy" is less frequent than "lack of empathy". Its usage often depends on the context and the desired level of formality.