empathizing

verb

present participle of empathize
as in sympathizing
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of empathizing Clark, 46, wished others who were laid off by ESPN on Tuesday well, empathizing with those who lost their jobs. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 Regardless, there’s a clear symbolism to Clark empathizing and embracing a bloated externalization of his own inchoate fury until someone with an outside perspective disturbs his peace, and that fury breaks loose and devours him. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026 Teammate Malinin, who also had a number of uncharacteristic mistakes in his free program and fell from first to eighth in the men’s event, watched in surprise in the arena, empathizing with the disbelief and pain on Glenn’s face. — Alice Park, Time, 18 Feb. 2026 For the growing Muslim community in the Bay Area, abstaining from eating or drinking during the day is regarded as an act of worship by practicing self-restraint, growing closer to God and empathizing with people who are poor and hungry. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026 The devout see benefits, including practicing self-restraint, cultivating gratitude and empathizing with people who are poor and hungry. — Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026 Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026 That is, if a child is not well-loved, or does not routinely experience others empathizing with his or her distress, then that child will learn to fear and suspect others and will be lacking empathic skills. — Howard Steele, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 The response was either reinforcing the emotion by agreeing and empathizing or reinterpreting the situation to help the person see it differently. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empathizing
  1. comforting
  2. consoling
  3. reassuring
  4. assuring
Verb
  • Then, something comforting like sandalwood and something citrusy like grapefruit.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • From shareable small plates to comforting classics, every meal is designed to bring people together.
    — Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • Instead of consoling Messi, his Argentine teammates were embroiled in a brawl.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Embolo left the pitch appearing to cry, as teammates and coaches tried consoling him.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
Definition of consoling
Verb
  • Officers say the changes are aimed at addressing a recent rise in overnight disturbances while reassuring visitors and businesses that Old Sacramento remains a safe destination.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Studies show responsiveness is key in customer experience, reassuring people they are heard.
    — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of reassuring
Verb
  • Her first ally is Oona (Bo Bragason), a loud, flirtatious Brit who teaches Annie to operate a motorboat by assuring her that steering it is just like giving a hand job.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
  • Middleton emphasized the personal impact of such decisions, while also assuring that Thomson retains a place within the organization.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of assuring

Browse Nearby Words

empathize (with)
empathizing
empathizing (with)
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Cite this Entry

“Empathizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empathizing. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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