A word for fake sympathy?












3















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.










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    3















    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.










    share|improve this question

























      3












      3








      3








      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.










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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






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      asked Jul 10 '15 at 23:30









      user128732user128732

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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.






          share|improve this answer
























          • 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



















          6














          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.






          share|improve this answer































            2














            Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?






            share|improve this answer


























            • 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



















            0














            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.






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              0














              if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called





              • cloying sympathy


              http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying






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                0














                I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"






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                Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                  0














                  [Insincere.]


                  pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.



                  https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere





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                    7 Answers
                    7






                    active

                    oldest

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                    7 Answers
                    7






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes









                    active

                    oldest

                    votes






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes









                    0














                    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.






                    share|improve this answer
























                    • 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
















                    0














                    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.






                    share|improve this answer
























                    • 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














                    0












                    0








                    0







                    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.






                    share|improve this answer













                    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.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    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



















                    • 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













                    6














                    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.






                    share|improve this answer




























                      6














                      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.






                      share|improve this answer


























                        6












                        6








                        6







                        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.






                        share|improve this answer













                        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.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Jul 10 '15 at 23:47









                        Zan700Zan700

                        2,390519




                        2,390519























                            2














                            Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?






                            share|improve this answer


























                            • 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
















                            2














                            Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?






                            share|improve this answer


























                            • 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














                            2












                            2








                            2







                            Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?






                            share|improve this answer















                            Is the word you're looking for 'patronizing'?







                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            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



















                            • 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











                            0














                            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.






                            share|improve this answer




























                              0














                              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.






                              share|improve this answer


























                                0












                                0








                                0







                                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.






                                share|improve this answer













                                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.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Jul 11 '15 at 5:40









                                steveslivastevesliva

                                4,5281318




                                4,5281318























                                    0














                                    if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called





                                    • cloying sympathy


                                    http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying






                                    share|improve this answer




























                                      0














                                      if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called





                                      • cloying sympathy


                                      http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying






                                      share|improve this answer


























                                        0












                                        0








                                        0







                                        if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called





                                        • cloying sympathy


                                        http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying






                                        share|improve this answer













                                        if it's overdone (not necessarily sarcastic, but exaggerated, insincere, disgusting, fake) it could be called





                                        • cloying sympathy


                                        http://i.word.com/idictionary/cloying







                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered Jul 11 '15 at 8:51









                                        Brian HitchcockBrian Hitchcock

                                        12.6k11637




                                        12.6k11637























                                            0














                                            I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"






                                            share|improve this answer








                                            New contributor




                                            Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                              0














                                              I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"






                                              share|improve this answer








                                              New contributor




                                              Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                              Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                                0












                                                0








                                                0







                                                I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"






                                                share|improve this answer








                                                New contributor




                                                Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                I am at present listening to the radio. The presenter is being "Cloyingly patronising" Thanks for the suggestions! Otherwise "Slimy"







                                                share|improve this answer








                                                New contributor




                                                Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer






                                                New contributor




                                                Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                answered 24 mins ago









                                                Matelot 65Matelot 65

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                                                New contributor




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                                                New contributor





                                                Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                Matelot 65 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                    0














                                                    [Insincere.]


                                                    pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.



                                                    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere





                                                    share




























                                                      0














                                                      [Insincere.]


                                                      pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.



                                                      https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere





                                                      share


























                                                        0












                                                        0








                                                        0







                                                        [Insincere.]


                                                        pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.



                                                        https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere





                                                        share













                                                        [Insincere.]


                                                        pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say.



                                                        https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insincere






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                                                        answered 6 mins ago









                                                        Squiggs.Squiggs.

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