Empathize/ˈempəθaɪz/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Shared Emotion Empathize involves a deep emotional understanding, not just a surface reaction. She empathized with his loss, recalling the pain of her own. Pro Tip 2/3Active Effort To empathize requires actively imagining how someone else feels. He tried to empathize with her situation by recalling his similar experiences. Pro Tip 3/3Not Sympathy Unlike sympathy, empathize doesn't imply feeling sorry for someone, but feeling with them. I don't just sympathize with you; I truly empathize.