empathize

verb

em·​pa·​thize ˈem-pə-ˌthīz 

empathized; empathizing

intransitive verb

: to experience empathy

empathized with his son's fears

empathizer

ˈem-pə-ˌthī-zər 

noun

Examples of empathize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clark, 46, wished others who were laid off by ESPN on Tuesday well, empathizing with those who lost their jobs. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Similarly, when the brand initially announced the return of the Frappuccino on Instagram on June 2, one commenter empathized with baristas. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Like, reading this book, young high-school students who could really empathize, see themselves in it, which is important to high-school students in a real, visceral way. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

The abilities to listen, empathize and show emotional intelligence remain distinctly human capabilities that AI cannot fully replicate. — Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for empathize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Medical Definition

empathize

intransitive verb

em·​pa·​thize

variants or British empathise

ˈem-pə-ˌthīz 

empathized or British empathised; empathizing or British empathising

: to experience empathy

adults unable to empathize with a child's frustrations