english word · 2026-05-23

Sonder

noun

Meaning

The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including every passing stranger, has a life as complex and vivid as your own.

Etymology

Coined by John Koenig in 2012 for 'The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows', derived from German 'sonder' (special) and French 'sonder' (to fathom).

Examples

"A sudden wave of sonder hit him as he watched the thousands of windows in the city skyline, each representing a hidden world of dreams and struggles."

"Waiting at the busy train station shifted from a chore to an exercise in sonder as she imagined the intricate backstories of the commuters around her."

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