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.
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Recent Examples of empathize
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
But anyone who has nurtured a daydream, or told a self-protective lie, can empathize with her, and learn something true about themselves.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for empathize
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
But anyone who has nurtured a daydream, or told a self-protective lie, can empathize with her, and learn something true about themselves.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for empathize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathize
sympathize
Verb
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Vance added that the president continues to sympathize with the Iranian people, but nuclear weapons remain a paramount interest.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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Immigrants who are living and working legally in Florida might not sympathize with foreign nationals who don’t follow the rules.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Empathize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathize. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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