empathetic

adjective

em·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌem-pə-ˈthe-tik 

: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy

empathetically

ˌem-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of empathetic

• compassionate
• sympathetic

Examples of empathetic in a Sentence

an empathetic social worker who soon realized that the single mother was at her breaking point

Recent Examples on the Web

There are ways in which this empathetic experience can benefit others and help solve problems. — Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Being empathetic and talking to people doesn’t amount to condoning their behavior, Marnik added. — Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

Providing better support Research shows that people who better understand nuances of trauma and mental health in turn are more empathetic toward survivors. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

With the suspense of a thriller, director Beth de Araújo tells a deeply empathetic family drama about fear and the limits of parental care. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for empathetic

• alphabetic
• anaesthetic
• anesthetic
• antithetic
• apathetic
• arithmetic
• cybernetic
• diabetic
• dietetic
• diuretic
• energetic
• geodetic