as in to sympathize
to have the same feelings as another person; to feel empathy for someone
—often + with
He learned to empathize with the poor.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of empathize
Darya, a former student who sat with her legs tucked underneath her on the rug beside the coffee table, empathized instead with Zeena.
—
Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
Listen fully, ask questions, and try to empathize with the client’s issues.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2025
The Elephant Whisperers reminds us that these creatures can love, empathize, and remember just like us humans.
—Tomris Laffly, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
Who knows how many fights didn’t break out in a melee because the flight crew spotted off-kilter passengers and knew how to listen and empathize to defuse a disruption?
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empathize
Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
Listen fully, ask questions, and try to empathize with the client’s issues.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2025
The Elephant Whisperers reminds us that these creatures can love, empathize, and remember just like us humans.
—Tomris Laffly, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
Who knows how many fights didn’t break out in a melee because the flight crew spotted off-kilter passengers and knew how to listen and empathize to defuse a disruption?
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empathize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathize
sympathize
Verb
-
Most people understand and sympathize with someone who has cancer or a stroke.—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
31 Dec. 2025
-
So for those wanting to sympathize with the collapse of the rival kingdom, save your Kleenex for more worthy causes.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Empathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathize. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
