1
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a compassionate person by nature
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sympathetic
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another
a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to pity
to have sympathy for
a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compassionate
Dylan Matthews, Vox, 22 May 2025
Nationwide, individuals and organizations work tirelessly to support veterans through mental health programs, compassionate outreach, and advocacy.
—Ken Fisher, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025
Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2023
He was recognized by Duke as being a competitor on the field and compassionate off it.
—J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Dec. 2020
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Adjective
The legacy of compassionate conservatism is a prescription drug benefit in Medicare administered by private insurers; the legacy of reform conservatism is mostly increasing the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 in 2017.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 22 May 2025
Nationwide, individuals and organizations work tirelessly to support veterans through mental health programs, compassionate outreach, and advocacy.
—Ken Fisher, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025
Verb
Yet while 67% of white people who are eligible for PrEP are on it, only 8% eligible Black people are, often citing lack of access to healthcare or to compassionate healthcare.
—Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2023
He was recognized by Duke as being a competitor on the field and compassionate off it.
—J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Dec. 2020
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassionate
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, organised crime still has its tendrils in many parts of the sport across the globe, and the misty-eyed reverence for benevolent local tycoons is a notion that went extinct before the Tasmanian tiger.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Another new motif was the eye, meant to represent here an omniscient but benevolent entity that accompanies and perpetuates knowledge in an unaltered state.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
As the only one with a sense of humor and a semblance of perspective, Jeff is the most sympathetic of this toxic crew.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
-
The Trump administration has framed support for Palestinians — which Khalil’s grandparents were — as antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Unable to leave Bangkok since Katherine placed him on a no-fly list out of spite, the once-great agent has become content to slowly drink himself to death among Thai locals who pity him.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 May 2025
-
These individuals are to be pitied rather than ostracized.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
That relationship is built, visit by visit, kind interaction after warm conversation.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
-
She was known as kind, generous, talented, a great collaborator, easy to be around.—
Ashley Spencer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Begin with self-awareness strategies like learning your own stress triggers and communicating with clear, empathetic intention during high-pressure situations.—
Ayaskant Sarangi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Purdum’s empathetic biography endorses that assessment.—
Julia M. Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
-
This film is, however, firmly rooted in the here and now of these characters, the present moment of Nadia’s pregnancy and the stresses placed on the couple, which are sensitively explored within a warm and humane framework.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Artificial empathy, a concept explored in AI research, aims to model empathic understanding computationally.—
Yujia Zhu,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
For 55 years, the characters of Sesame Street have taught us how to count, how to read — and as importantly, how to be kind, empathic and compassionate.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
While these fears may be well-founded, our response should not be to reject crypto altogether, but rather embrace thoughtful policies to mitigate risks, protect consumers, and promote transparency.—
Jeremy Cooney,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
-
Springsteen has never shied away from holding up a thoughtful mirror reflecting the state of our nation.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share