"Weaponized empathy" refers to the use of empathy as a manipulative tool for personal gain or to control others, rather than for genuine understanding or support. It is commonly used in faking or exaggerating emotional understanding to manipulate someone into doing what you want, often by guilting them or by implying what they're doing is unfair.
Person A: "I really need you to cover my shift tomorrow."
Person B: "I can’t, I’ve got plans already."
Person A: "Oh, I see. I just thought you’d understand how stressed I’ve been lately. It must because I'm black, right? Don't you care about stopping racism?"
Person B: "That's.. That's not how that works?"
Person A: "Shut up, Nazi."
Person B: "Enough with the weaponized empathy already!"
Person B: "I can’t, I’ve got plans already."
Person A: "Oh, I see. I just thought you’d understand how stressed I’ve been lately. It must because I'm black, right? Don't you care about stopping racism?"
Person B: "That's.. That's not how that works?"
Person A: "Shut up, Nazi."
Person B: "Enough with the weaponized empathy already!"
by dicktongued March 09, 2025