Which term describes the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person?

The term that describes the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person is empathy. Empathy involves not just recognizing another person's emotions but also connecting with those feelings on a deeper level. This can lead to a greater understanding of their experiences and struggles, creating a bond that allows one to support and respond to the emotional states of others effectively.

Compassion, while related, specifically emphasizes a desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering of others, whereas empathy focuses more on the emotional resonance and understanding without necessarily implying action. Sympathy involves feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune but lacks the deeper connection and understanding of emotions that empathy entails. Sentimentality refers more to emotional reactions that are excessive or superficial, rather than a genuine understanding of another's feelings. Thus, empathy is the most accurate term for the ability to engage deeply with the emotions of others.