empathise

USAGE SUMMARY

'empathise' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to share or understand the feelings of another person. You can use 'empathise' when you want to describe the act of understanding another person's feelings or experiences. For example: After hearing about the loss of her husband, I tried to empathise with her pain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, it's hard not to empathise with some of the requests that we've seen – from the man who asked that we do not show a news article saying that he had been questioned in connection with a crime (he's able to demonstrate that he was never charged) to the mother who requested that we remove news articles for her daughter's name as she had been the victim of abuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

One person who may have found it easy to empathise with Khawaja's plight is the former Observer and Independent editor (and MediaGuardian guest editor) Roger Alton, who stepped down from his Times role as executive editor last week, seemingly hinting that he might follow his pal Simon Kelner into PR.

The Guardian

Governments need to step outside themselves from time to time, to empathise with the user – the little people who make up so much of the country and whom politicians rarely get to meet.

The Guardian - Books

Summers said rather than try to become authorities on the global food trade, the artists involved have tried to present issues in ways that audiences can empathise with.

The Guardian

Now, the FCO claims to empathise with the "suffering" of the Armenian people in the "tragedy" of 1915, and says it is not for governments to decide a "complex legal question".

The Guardian - Books

When that student asked whether she would get a job and he tried to empathise, I thought: "How does he know what it's like?" I finish my postgrad course in TV journalism in July and am bracing myself for the possibility of unemployment, so I was interested in the question from the 19-year-old who asked who would guarantee them a job.

The Guardian

I could empathise with the seal, as a cruise passenger on the Mare Australis, though only regarding the problem of weight changes: an issue requiring constant attention in a habitat presenting three large, delicious meals a day and unlimited free alcohol.

The Guardian - Travel

Narcissism is characterised by a kind of grandiosity or "bigging yourself up" - as we've seen Ziggy do countless times, probably to hide a low self esteem, as well as a failure to empathise with others (think duck).

The Guardian

Fitt's strengths were his gregarious ability to talk, drink and empathise across any divide, and his lack of caution when he felt an injustice threatened.

The Guardian

"I can empathise with people who have suffered in prison for decades and I can fully understand them protesting against this," he said.

The Guardian

Oh, how every teacher in the land can empathise; but as every experienced teacher knows, the trick is continuing to care even when your students don't.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional connections, use "empathise" to show a deep understanding and connection with the feelings of others. It is more profound than simply sympathizing.

Common error

Avoid using "sympathise" when you mean "empathise". "Sympathise" means to feel pity or sorrow for someone, while "empathise" means to understand and share their feelings. The latter implies a deeper connection.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "empathise" is as an intransitive verb, describing the action of understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Books

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empathise" is a versatile and widely used verb that signifies a deep understanding and sharing of another person's feelings. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its prevalence in news media and books underscores its importance in conveying emotional connections across diverse contexts. Understanding the distinction between "empathise" and "sympathise" is crucial for precise communication, as "empathise" suggests a more profound and personal connection. By putting yourself in others' shoes, you can truly "empathise".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put yourself in someone's shoes

Highlights the act of imagining oneself in another person's situation to understand their perspective.

sympathize

Expresses feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else, focusing more on feeling for them rather than understanding their experience.

understand

Refers to having a general awareness or comprehension of someone's situation or feelings.

relate to

Suggests finding a connection between one's own experiences and those of another person.

be understanding

Emphasizes the quality of being compassionate and tolerant towards someone.

apprehend feelings

Suggests grasping and understanding the emotions experienced by someone else.

show compassion

Highlights the act of demonstrating kindness and concern for someone's suffering.

be sensitive to

Highlights awareness and consideration for another person's feelings.

share feelings

Focuses on the mutual exchange of emotions and experiences.

feel for

Expresses a sense of pity or concern for someone's situation.

FAQs

How can I use "empathise" in a sentence?

You can use "empathise" to describe the act of understanding and sharing another person's feelings. For example, "It's important to "empathise" with your colleagues to build a strong team."

What words are similar to "empathise"?

Words similar to "empathise" include "sympathize", "understand", and "relate to". However, "empathise" suggests a deeper, more personal understanding.

What is the difference between "empathise" and "sympathise"?

"Empathise" means to understand and share the feelings of another, putting yourself in their shoes. "Sympathise" means to feel pity or sorrow for someone else. "Empathise" involves a deeper level of understanding and connection.

Is it correct to use "empathise" in formal writing?

Yes, "empathise" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a standard verb used in various contexts, including academic, professional, and journalistic writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.