vicariousness

1 8.2

To feel something through another person, for example by watching their life

noun
/vɪˈkɛr.i.əs.nəs/

: vicariato

Through storytelling, he felt a deep vicariousness, experiencing the characters' adventures as if they were his own.

Examples

It probably has to do with a low regard for the Constitution, disinterest in the sanctity of life, devotion to the cult of "progress," and a vicariousness of scholars who lack power and influence in the real world.

Blog text (27)
Many people find joy in the vicariousness of watching their favorite athletes compete in the Olympics.
There is also the vicariousness of the entire act.

Blog text (22)
Her vicariousness for travel grew as she read about exotic destinations in magazines.

Synonyms

empathy

vsvicariousness

147 3.2

Ability to understand and share another person's feelings and experiences

involves feeling through someone else rather than feeling directly

fellow feeling

vsvicariousness

1 4.5

A feeling of sympathy and understanding for someone who is sad or in trouble

involves actually experiencing another's feelings indirectly rather than just sympathizing

How Vicarious

vicariousness

1 8.2

indirectness

1 6.1

Surface Forms

vicariousness singular

vicariousnesses plural

Morphology

vicariousness = vicarious (semi-transparent) = vicar + ious + ness

The noun is a straightforward '-ness' formation from the adjective 'vicarious', but 'vicarious' is a less frequent, Latinate adjective whose relation to common roots may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Vicariousness comes from the Latin root vicarius, meaning 'substitute' or 'in place of someone'. It is the same root as vicar and the prefix vice- used in 'vice-president', so vicariousness is the quality of feeling something 'through' another person rather than directly.