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
Time, 7 Aug. 2025
Being more compassionate and respectful to the needs of your squad and family, instead of just asserting your wants, adds a new dimension to your connection with them.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 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
Though a small sample, their reactions were notably compassionate towards transgender people and supportive of the doctors who provided their care.
—Time, 7 Aug. 2025
Being more compassionate and respectful to the needs of your squad and family, instead of just asserting your wants, adds a new dimension to your connection with them.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 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
-
CEOs take on all sorts of personas, from the benevolent leader to the cutthroat business executive.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 Aug. 2025
-
Its land is farmed communally, and its lord, Master Kent (Harry Melling), is a benevolent soul who prefers coaxing and rewarding to ordering and punishing.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Even for Southern Baptists who aren’t sympathetic toward Hunt and Sills, the legal costs to fight those cases have led to an overall diminished appetite for implementing and funding certain reform.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Maggie Carney is a comic delight as Elizabeth, the household’s sympathetic but highly disciplined head housekeeper.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Wilson himself was celebrated for his beautiful music and pitied for his demons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 June 2025
-
Brian was simultaneously celebrated for his transcendent musical vision and pitied for the emotional struggles that haunted much of his life.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Asked about Trump's relationship with her and with Epstein, Maxwell said Trump was always kind and cordial with her.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Sweet, feisty, kind, smart, sensitive and spiritual.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Through their experience as tech team and company leaders, members of the Forbes Technology Council have learned and developed effective strategies for empathetic, energizing leadership.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Related, ask any already empathetic Nashville singer-songwriter about the value of consistently showing up in writing rooms.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The man who brought in Lazlo, along with another feline, told the humane society the cats lived in a hotel with him.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
-
While humane in principle, this approach has been challenging to implement effectively on a national scale.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Pitch: In a world of rising authoritarian politics and policies, the filmmaker presents the story of a newspaper as a textbook for resistance, reminding us that democratic and empathic values are not negotiable.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Over the course of two seasons, the writing of the show and the actress performing the role turned the Grim Reaper into more of a caregiver who guides human souls to the beyond with a kind smile and empathic warmth.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Supporters deny that the move is a retaliation against KC Life, and say their goal is to protect the neighborhood’s historic fabric while supporting thoughtful development like the Norman School conversion.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
22 Aug. 2025
-
On social media, where complaints about dodgy deliveries are a more common occurrence, Singh’s thoughtful act went viral.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share