Empathizing with someone means understanding and sharing their feelings. There are many synonyms that can be used instead of "empathizes with" to indicate this level of emotional connection. Some alternatives include "relates to," "connects with," "sympathizes with," and "feels for." These expressions can be used interchangeably to convey the same meaning. Other synonyms might include "puts oneself in another's shoes," "understands," and "feels compassion for." No matter which words are chosen, the important thing is to convey a sense of emotional connection and understanding with the person in question.