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Definition of empathize

empathize

/ˈɛmpəθaɪz/
(UK: empathise)
em · pa · thize
Adverb:empathically
•
Adjective:empathic
•
Past Simple:empathized
•
Past Participle:empathized
•
Present Participle:empathizing
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empathize Lexical Profile

empathize Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To understand and share the feelings, experiences, or perspective of another person.

Example

"Having worked in customer service for years, she could easily empathize with the frustrated cashier."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for empathize

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'sympathize' means feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune from a distance, 'empathize' implies vicariously experiencing and understanding another person's exact feelings from their perspective.

• Nearby Words

empathetically
empathic
empathically
empathize
empathizer
empathy
emperor

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 20th century from 'empathy' (modeled on German 'Einfühlung', meaning 'feeling into'), which derives from the Ancient Greek 'empatheia' ('passion' or 'physical affection'), combining 'en-' ('in') and 'pathos' ('feeling').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Empathize. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/empathize
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