compassionate

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pas·​sion·​ate kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 

1

: having or showing compassion : sympathetic

a compassionate friend

a compassionate smile

2

: granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual

—used of some military privileges (such as leave)

The soldier was granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.

compassionately adverb

compassionateness noun

compassionate

2 of 2

verb

com·​pas·​sion·​ate kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt 

compassionated; compassionating

transitive verb

: pity

… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …

—John Quincy Adams

Synonyms

Adjective

• beneficent
• benevolent
• benignant
• good-hearted
• humane
• kind
• kindhearted
• kindly
• softhearted
• sympathetic
• tender
• tenderhearted
• warmhearted

Verb

• ache (for)
• bleed (for)
• commiserate (with)
• condole (with)
• feel (for)
• pity
• sympathize (with)
• yearn (over)

Examples of compassionate in a Sentence

Adjective

a compassionate person by nature

a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better

Verb

a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This kind of compassionate, deep and profound examination of complex and nuanced questions is exactly what draws me to this column again and again. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 15 May 2024

The surgery was performed under the Food and Drug Administration's compassionate use protocol, which grants someone with life-threatening illness access to experimental treatment when no comparable options exist. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see compassion

Verb

see compassion

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compassionate

• compassionate leave