empathic

adjective

em·​path·​ic em-ˈpa-thik 

im-

: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy : empathetic

It is also during early childhood that people begin experiencing empathic guilt—feeling distress when they have been the cause of someone else's discomfort.

—Joseph Alper

empathically

em-ˈpa-thi-k(ə-)lē 

im-

adverb

listening empathically

Synonyms

• commiserative
• compassionate
• empathetic
• humane
• sympathetic
• understanding

Examples of empathic in a Sentence

gave an empathic nod as I recounted my repeated efforts to land a decent-paying job in a tough economy

Recent Examples on the Web

Lanthimos retreads the daring social perspective of Todd Solondz (Storytelling, Life During Wartime, Palindromes, Dark Horse) but lacks Solondz’s empathic wit and insight into American manners. —Armond White, National Review, 21 June 2024

Ferry defends her mostly empathic portrait of a fashion-icon-in-the-making. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024

This project focused on the empathic care of mothers, but the researchers hope to include the effects of empathetic fathers in future follow-up studies. —Charlotte Hu, Scientific American, 5 June 2024

Subjects given oxytocin become more generous, trusting, empathic, and expressive. —Robert Sapolsky, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

empathic

adjective

em·​path·​ic em-ˈpath-ik, im- 

: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy

empathically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb