A word for fake sympathy?
To be more precise I mean a kind of mocking sympathy where the person is like "Aw. You poor thing.." but it's pretty sarcastic.
single-word-requests
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To be more precise I mean a kind of mocking sympathy where the person is like "Aw. You poor thing.." but it's pretty sarcastic.
single-word-requests
add a comment |
To be more precise I mean a kind of mocking sympathy where the person is like "Aw. You poor thing.." but it's pretty sarcastic.
single-word-requests
To be more precise I mean a kind of mocking sympathy where the person is like "Aw. You poor thing.." but it's pretty sarcastic.
single-word-requests
single-word-requests
asked Jul 10 '15 at 23:30
user128732user128732
18114
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7 Answers
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I can't find a single word with the meaning you want. A common two-word phrase for this concept is "mock sympathy", which often goes along with the phrase or hand gesture of "playing the world's smallest violin."
For single words, the only terms I can think of are ones that refer to sarcasm in general, rather than false expressions of sympathy in particular: scorn, sarcasm, mocking.
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
add a comment |
For fake sympathy I'd suggest "Crocodile tears"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears
Wikipedia
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their victims.
For meaning the opposite of what one is saying: "ironic"
Irony | Define Irony at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony
Dictionary.com
Irony definition, the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
add a comment |
Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
add a comment |
This sort of remark is closely associated with the term:
deadpan -
deliberately impassive in manner
I suppose the delivery can be dripping with sarcasm, but along with, "you poor thing," you could deadpan, "Do you think I should call an ambulance?" So in that, light, deadpan is what I associate with this sort of mock sympathy. You deliver the words, but not the emotion.
add a comment |
if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called
cloying sympathy
http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying
add a comment |
I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"
New contributor
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[Insincere.]
pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere
add a comment |
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7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I can't find a single word with the meaning you want. A common two-word phrase for this concept is "mock sympathy", which often goes along with the phrase or hand gesture of "playing the world's smallest violin."
For single words, the only terms I can think of are ones that refer to sarcasm in general, rather than false expressions of sympathy in particular: scorn, sarcasm, mocking.
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
add a comment |
I can't find a single word with the meaning you want. A common two-word phrase for this concept is "mock sympathy", which often goes along with the phrase or hand gesture of "playing the world's smallest violin."
For single words, the only terms I can think of are ones that refer to sarcasm in general, rather than false expressions of sympathy in particular: scorn, sarcasm, mocking.
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
add a comment |
I can't find a single word with the meaning you want. A common two-word phrase for this concept is "mock sympathy", which often goes along with the phrase or hand gesture of "playing the world's smallest violin."
For single words, the only terms I can think of are ones that refer to sarcasm in general, rather than false expressions of sympathy in particular: scorn, sarcasm, mocking.
I can't find a single word with the meaning you want. A common two-word phrase for this concept is "mock sympathy", which often goes along with the phrase or hand gesture of "playing the world's smallest violin."
For single words, the only terms I can think of are ones that refer to sarcasm in general, rather than false expressions of sympathy in particular: scorn, sarcasm, mocking.
answered Jul 10 '15 at 23:44
sumelicsumelic
50.3k8120226
50.3k8120226
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
add a comment |
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I would've tried 'pseudo-sympathy' (false sympathy) or 'quasi-sympathy' (pretended sympathy), with a preference for the latter because of the specificity of the questioner's example.
– JEL
Aug 4 '15 at 4:14
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
I'd be tempted to call it "mocking sympathy."
– Al Maki
May 24 '18 at 0:43
add a comment |
For fake sympathy I'd suggest "Crocodile tears"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears
Wikipedia
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their victims.
For meaning the opposite of what one is saying: "ironic"
Irony | Define Irony at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony
Dictionary.com
Irony definition, the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
add a comment |
For fake sympathy I'd suggest "Crocodile tears"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears
Wikipedia
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their victims.
For meaning the opposite of what one is saying: "ironic"
Irony | Define Irony at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony
Dictionary.com
Irony definition, the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
add a comment |
For fake sympathy I'd suggest "Crocodile tears"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears
Wikipedia
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their victims.
For meaning the opposite of what one is saying: "ironic"
Irony | Define Irony at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony
Dictionary.com
Irony definition, the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
For fake sympathy I'd suggest "Crocodile tears"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears
Wikipedia
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their victims.
For meaning the opposite of what one is saying: "ironic"
Irony | Define Irony at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony
Dictionary.com
Irony definition, the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
answered Jul 10 '15 at 23:47
Zan700Zan700
2,390519
2,390519
add a comment |
add a comment |
Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
add a comment |
Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
add a comment |
Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?
Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?
edited May 23 '18 at 22:54
Jessica Tiberio
938614
938614
answered May 23 '18 at 21:49
VonVon
271
271
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
add a comment |
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
Instead of asking another question it would be better if you could substantiate your suggestion with references.
– Nigel J
May 23 '18 at 22:57
add a comment |
This sort of remark is closely associated with the term:
deadpan -
deliberately impassive in manner
I suppose the delivery can be dripping with sarcasm, but along with, "you poor thing," you could deadpan, "Do you think I should call an ambulance?" So in that, light, deadpan is what I associate with this sort of mock sympathy. You deliver the words, but not the emotion.
add a comment |
This sort of remark is closely associated with the term:
deadpan -
deliberately impassive in manner
I suppose the delivery can be dripping with sarcasm, but along with, "you poor thing," you could deadpan, "Do you think I should call an ambulance?" So in that, light, deadpan is what I associate with this sort of mock sympathy. You deliver the words, but not the emotion.
add a comment |
This sort of remark is closely associated with the term:
deadpan -
deliberately impassive in manner
I suppose the delivery can be dripping with sarcasm, but along with, "you poor thing," you could deadpan, "Do you think I should call an ambulance?" So in that, light, deadpan is what I associate with this sort of mock sympathy. You deliver the words, but not the emotion.
This sort of remark is closely associated with the term:
deadpan -
deliberately impassive in manner
I suppose the delivery can be dripping with sarcasm, but along with, "you poor thing," you could deadpan, "Do you think I should call an ambulance?" So in that, light, deadpan is what I associate with this sort of mock sympathy. You deliver the words, but not the emotion.
answered Jul 11 '15 at 5:40
steveslivastevesliva
4,5281318
4,5281318
add a comment |
add a comment |
if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called
cloying sympathy
http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying
add a comment |
if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called
cloying sympathy
http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying
add a comment |
if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called
cloying sympathy
http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying
if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called
cloying sympathy
http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying
answered Jul 11 '15 at 8:51
Brian HitchcockBrian Hitchcock
12.6k11637
12.6k11637
add a comment |
add a comment |
I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"
New contributor
add a comment |
I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"
New contributor
add a comment |
I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"
New contributor
I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"
New contributor
New contributor
answered 24 mins ago
Matelot 65Matelot 65
1
1
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
[Insincere.]
pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere
add a comment |
[Insincere.]
pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere
add a comment |
[Insincere.]
pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere
[Insincere.]
pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere
answered 6 mins ago
Squiggs.Squiggs.
25826
25826
add a comment |
add a comment |
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