Synonyms of empathize

empathize

verb

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

• sympathize
• commiserate
• assure
• reassure
• comfort
• cheer
• condole
• console
• soothe
• alleviate
• uplift
• lift
• solace
• allay
• relieve
• elevate
• buoy (up)
• assuage
• relax
• calm
• boost
• quiet
• tranquilize

Dissimilar Words

• discourage
• worry
• upset
• demoralize
• intensify
• aggravate
• worsen
• annoy
• fret
• dishearten
• irritate
• distress
• harass
• torment
• trouble
• irk
• torture
• pester

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of empathize

Clark empathized with short men who tried but failed to find a girlfriend. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

By shining a light on one of her toughest periods (Diana and Charles separated in 1992), Stewart empathized with Diana deeply. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026

Tammen worked decades in the mining industry and empathizes with people like King, but does not feel a mine is worth potentially jeopardizing the watershed. — Erin Hassanzadeh, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Pollard has described himself as a candidate that can empathize with large swaths of the Jackson County voter base, as a small business owner, homeowner and parent. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026