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Respond vs Empathize - What's the difference?

respond | empathize |

In intransitive terms the difference between respond and empathize

is that respond is to act in return; to exhibit some action or effect in return to a force or stimulus; to do something in response; to accord while empathize is to feel empathy for another person.

As verbs the difference between respond and empathize

is that respond is to say something in return; to answer; to reply while empathize is to feel empathy for another person.

As a noun respond

is a response.

respond

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (intransitive) To say something in return; to answer; to reply.
    • to respond to a question or an argument
  • To act in return; to exhibit some action or effect in return to a force or stimulus; to do something in response; to accord.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
    • , author=Robert M. Pringle , title=How to Be Manipulative , volume=100, issue=1, page=31 , magazine= citation , passage=As in much of biology, the most satisfying truths in ecology derive from manipulative experimentation. Tinker with nature and quantify how it responds .}}
  • (ambitransitive) To correspond with; to suit.
  • * Fairfax
    • For his great deeds respond his speeches great.
  • To satisfy; to answer.
    • The prisoner was held to respond the judgment of the court.

    Derived terms

    * responder * responsive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A response.
  • A versicle or short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
  • (architecture) A half-pillar, pilaster, or any corresponding device engaged in a wall to receive the impost of an arch.

    • Related terms

    * response * responsible * responsibility

    See also

    * react

    References

    * *

    Anagrams

    * English reporting verbs

    empathize

    English

    Alternative forms

    * empathise (British, Canadian, Australian)

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • to feel empathy for another person
  • * 2001, Alias (TV, episode 1.03)
    • Must have been [...] devastating when Kenny was killed. But I want you to know that you can trust me. I understand you. I empathize .

    Usage notes

    Used similarly to sympathize, interchangeably in looser usage. In stricter usage, empathize is stronger and more intimate, while (term) is weaker and more distant; see .