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
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Recent Examples of compassionate
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Back in 2014, the company secured FDA authorization for a compassionate-use protocol allowing the Hemopurifier to be used in up to 20 patients with Ebola across 10 clinical sites in the United States.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026
Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Adjective
This celebration not only honored the individual recipients but also highlighted DMUSD’s commitment to nurturing compassionate, innovative, and engaged learners.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Back in 2014, the company secured FDA authorization for a compassionate-use protocol allowing the Hemopurifier to be used in up to 20 patients with Ebola across 10 clinical sites in the United States.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026
Verb
Modern Legal is not only a firm dedicated to compassionate legal advocacy but also underscores the critical role of education in empowering individuals.
—Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassionate
Adjective
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For Egyptians, crops would not grow without Horus and his benevolent eye shining down between the clouds.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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The overflow doctor had benevolent eyes and doughy cheeks, like fresh loaves of bread.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Avenatti isn’t sympathetic to Bankman-Fried’s appeals.—
Camila Grigera Naon,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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Even some people who are sympathetic to Carl’s concerns see problems with his prescription.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Verb
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There is nothing pitying and also nothing airbrushed in the pictures—just the occasional haze of a misty morning or the blurry tremor of a burning brush pile.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Or, even better, don’t pity Carlson.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Just don’t expect a lot of English–the hotel team were smiley and kind, but spoke a minimal amount.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
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Choose circles that feel kind, and show up consistently today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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At First Presbyterian, his irenic, empathetic sermons became public spectacles.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
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Studies suggest that employees with empathetic leaders report dramatically higher rates of innovation and engagement than those without.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Indeed, there is likely no method — no matter how humane — that would be immune to constitutional challenge.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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At the same time, the resolution calls for humane immigration policies that uphold justice and mercy, strongly rejecting nativism, discrimination and racial or ethnic hostility.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Now, imagine this happening in a sentimental, intuitive and empathic sign like Cancer — this transit will feel like an overflow of emotion.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
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Perhaps a health scare, ascent into the middle years, and fatherhood have softened the songwriter, but there is a gentle and empathic feeling at play here that is missing from his early records.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Regardless of one’s position, a decision about downtown’s historic core deserves thoughtful public discussion.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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General Daily Insight for June 14, 2026 Fresh pages wait for thoughtful words tonight.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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