Empathize

v.kind, thoughtfulwarm

What it means

To understand another person's feelings from within their point of view.

Reach for it when describing an effort to grasp what an experience feels like for someone else

Good editors empathize with the confused reader before revising the instructions.

playful
relate
when shared experience creates immediate recognition
not when Relating can center one's own similar story instead of attending to the other person.
everyday
see their side
when recognizing another viewpoint matters in disagreement
not when Seeing a side concerns reasons and fairness, not necessarily the person's feelings.
everyday
understand
when grasping the person's position is sufficient
not when Understanding may remain intellectual and never reach the emotional perspective.
warm
sympathize
when concern or pity is felt for someone's difficulty
not when Sympathy looks toward the person; empathy tries to see from their position.
professional
identify with
when a strong perceived similarity creates connection
not when Identification can project sameness onto experiences that differ in important ways.
literary
enter into
when imaginative participation suits reflective prose
not when The expression is elevated and vague for everyday emotional support.

empathize with others
Stories can help children empathize with others without pretending every life is alike.
difficult to empathize
It was difficult to empathize until she heard the full sequence of events.
learn to empathize
The exercise helps new managers learn to empathize before offering solutions.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.