Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sonder

noun

/ˈsɒndər/

Definition

The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

Examples

The moment I saw her in the crowd, I felt a wave of sonder wash over me, realizing she had her own story to tell.
As he walked through the busy street, he was struck by sonder, considering the lives of those around him.
In a bustling café, surrounded by strangers, he experienced a deep sense of sonder, contemplating the myriad of stories being lived around him.

Meaning

Sonder captures the profound awareness that every individual around you has their own experiences, thoughts, and feelings, which are as rich and detailed as your own, even if they seem like strangers.