Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free
Log in

Looking up...

Words

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Words of the Year
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

sonder

/ˈsɒndər/
noun★Intermediate— the realization that everyone has a life as vivid and complex as your own
informal

the recognition that every person has an inner life as rich and complex as your own, often leading to empathy or introspection

Reading about strangers' lives online can evoke a strong sense of sonder.

It makes you realize that everyone has their own unique experiences and emotions.

💡

Coined by John Koenig in 'The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows'

Synonyms

empathyperspective-takingself-awareness

Antonyms

self-centerednessindifference

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'sonder' when discussing deep emotional or philosophical insights about human experience.

📖Word Origin

Coined by John Koenig in his 2012 project 'The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows' to describe a profound psychological realization.

📝Usage Notes

Often used in philosophical or psychological discussions about human connection and self-awareness.

English Dictionary

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Recent Lookups

The most recent words being looked up. Stay up to date with what language learners are exploring.