empathic

adjective

em·​path·​ic em-ˈpa-thik How to pronounce empathic (audio)
im-
: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy : empathetic
It is also during early childhood that people begin experiencing empathic guilt—feeling distress when they have been the cause of someone else's discomfort.Joseph Alper
empathically adverb
listening empathically

Examples of empathic in a Sentence

gave an empathic nod as I recounted my repeated efforts to land a decent-paying job in a tough economy
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Typical eldest daughter characteristics include being responsible, independent, empathic, caring, a perfectionist, stressed and anxious, the Cleveland Clinic notes. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 Instead, children can progress in the game only by getting to know the characters, listening to their stories and practicing empathic actions. Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025 Being empathic to the husband's struggles doesn't mean the wife should accept the situation, however. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 Tools for empathic communication—the scripts and rehearsed responses to intense emotion—ought to be taught in medicine. Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for empathic

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empathic was in 1909

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Cite this Entry

“Empathic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

empathic

adjective
em·​path·​ic em-ˈpath-ik, im- How to pronounce empathic (audio)
: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy
empathically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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