Learn English – Word for people who assume the emotions of the people they’re with

single-word-requests

I'm looking for a word for someone who tends to assume the emotional state of people around them, not necessarily by will. In most definitions that I can find online, being an empath usually implies a psychic ability to attain the emotional state of someone else. I'm looking for a similar word that does not carry connotations of supernatural power, but rather a propensity for taking on the overt emotional atmosphere around them.

The word can be technical, but it doesn't have to be.

Example uses:

Even though I was aware of the tension in the room, I stayed calm. Since Aaron is a(n) ___, he couldn't help but get upset.

I could tell Katy is a(n) ___ because her mood lit up when we joined the celebration.

Best Answer

Emotional sponge is more colloquial than empath

For lack of a better source:

The Empath: Emotional Sponge Empaths are highly sensitive, loving, and supportive. They are finely tuned instruments when it comes to emotions and tend to feel everything, sometimes to an extreme. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-freedom/201102/what-is-your-emotional-type

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