empathize

American  

[em-puh-thahyz] / ˈɛm pəˌθaɪz /

especially British, empathise

verb (used without object)

empathized, empathizing

1. to experience empathy (often followed bywith ).

   His ability to empathize with people made him an excellent marriage counselor.

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empathize British  

/ ˈɛmpəˌθaɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to engage in or feel empathy

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Usage

What does empathize mean? To empathize with someone is to imagine or try to deeply understand what they are feeling or what it’s like to be in their situation.The ability or the practice of doing this is called empathy, which is often described as the ability to feel what others are feeling as if you are feeling it yourself. So, to empathize is to feel empathy for someone. People who do this are described as empathetic.Some people use the word empathize interchangeably or in overlapping ways with the word sympathize, which generally means to share someone else’s emotions, especially sadness. However, others distinguish the two terms by emphasizing the importance of empathizing with others (feeling their pain) as opposed to sympathizing with them (feeling sorry for them).Example: Having faced many of the same challenges, Nyala is able to empathize with other immigrants and what they go through. 

Etymology

Origin of empathize

First recorded in 1920–25; empath(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

Department lawyers in several offices told The Wall Street Journal they empathized with Julie Le, a Department of Homeland Security attorney who was detailed to the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis to bolster staffing.

From The Wall Street Journal

This is tough because I can tell you empathize with the experience of having less money and want to provide some relief for your friends.

From MarketWatch

Lawrence: Mike already made the point here, just randomly on this interview — it doesn’t matter if you empathize and you’re around it.

From Los Angeles Times

So I can empathize with how stressful this decision is for you.

From MarketWatch

He is perplexed by a potential state intervention but he empathizes with young people looking to keep their hair longer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• sympathize