empathetic

adjective

em·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌem-pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce empathetic (audio)
Synonyms of empathetic
: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy
empathetically
ˌem-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce empathetic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of empathetic

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Examples of empathetic in a Sentence

an empathetic social worker who soon realized that the single mother was at her breaking point
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With the suspense of a thriller, director Beth de Araújo tells a deeply empathetic family drama about fear and the limits of parental care. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 So, how can leaders and their organizations help to build more empathetic teams? — Sally Percy, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 And with Molly Ringwald as his muse, Hughes’s directorial debut established his gift for frank and empathetic tales of adolescent crushes and high school social hierarchies. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026 Other comments drew comparisons between Kate and the late Princess Diana, who was known for her empathetic nature and ability to connect with others. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for empathetic

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empathetic was in 1912

Rhymes for empathetic

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Browse Nearby Words

empath
empathetic
empathic
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Cite this Entry

“Empathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathetic. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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