empathize

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verb em·pa·thize \ ˈem-pə-ˌthīz \

Definition of empathize

empathized; empathizing

intransitive verb

:to experience empathy

empathized with his son's fears

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empathizer

play \ˈem-pə-ˌthī-zər\ noun

See empathize defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of empathize from the Web

Happy, relaxed Dominique is the definition of a Chill Girl compared to uptight Lacey, who is going head-to-head with equally rigid Taylor, who empathizes but clearly doesn't care.

— elizabeth logan, Glamour, "'Bachelor in Paradise' Season 4 Episodes 2A and 2B Recap: DeMario's Side," 22 Aug. 2017
No, that would betray an ability to empathize with other people.

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "When Every Republican Is a Crypto-Nazi," 21 Aug. 2017
Women generally also have a stronger interest in people rather than things, relative to men (also interpreted as empathizing vs. systemizing).

— katie van syckle, The Cut, "Senior Google Engineer Mansplains Gender Pay Gap in Leaked ‘Anti-Diversity’ Memo," 6 Aug. 2017
That’s not to say male writers can’t empathize or can’t channel the same kind of emotional intelligence the best female writers bring to crime fiction.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Why Men Pretend to Be Women to Sell Thrillers," 3 Aug. 2017
Menashe initially offered the use of his building to the city and county because his father empathized with the homeless plight after two of his siblings ended up on the street with mental health issues.

— molly harbarger, OregonLive.com, "Portland developers try to ease homeless crisis that they helped create," 23 July 2017
And with every patient step, the audience was allowed to empathize with that character, an individual who was never fully above prejudice, bigotry, or hate.

— chris hartwell, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Planet of the Apes' Is the Rare Trilogy That's Great," 14 July 2017
Here again, a person with a lower IQ who can empathize with customers will almost always beat someone with a higher IQ who can't put themselves in customers' shoes.

— morgan housel, Fortune, "5 Ways Your Company Can Keep Its Competitive Edge," 23 June 2017
The ability to empathize with customers Forty-seven percent of mutual fund managers do not own any shares in their own fund, according to Morningstar.

— morgan housel, Fortune, "5 Ways Your Company Can Keep Its Competitive Edge," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'empathize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.