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

Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026

Kesey recognizes her literary talent and also empathizes with her over the loss of her child, having been deeply marked by the death of one of his sons in a road accident. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026

Evelis Cano, the mother of a detainee, called on Venezuela’s legislative leader and acting president to empathize with families. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026

Welch encouraged bosses to empathize with their unique job and economic vulnerabilities. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for empathize

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

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