compassionate
kuhm-PASH-uh-nit
/kəmˈpæʃənət/
Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others along with a desire to relieve their suffering.
Emphasizes active mercy, tenderness, and practical kindness.
The story behind the word. Formed in Late Middle English from compassion, combining Latin roots to describe a disposition filled with active mercy.
Word relationships
- benevolent: Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly generally, while compassionate focuses specifically on suffering.
- merciless: Merciless shows complete disregard for suffering, opposite to compassionate intervention.
Commonly confused with
- apathetic: Compassionate cares deeply and acts; apathetic cares nothing at all.
Word family
- compassion (noun): Active care for suffering.
- compassionately (adverb): In a compassionate manner.
Collocations
- compassionate leave
- compassionate care
- compassionate heart
- deeply compassionate
Idioms & expressions
- a compassionate touch
Example sentences
- "The doctor provided compassionate care to terminal patients, prioritizing dignity and comfort." Medical ethics
- "Employees are entitled to three days of compassionate leave following the death of an immediate family member." Legal leave policy
Memory hook
COMPASSionate people act as a COMPASS to guide sufferers out of pain. Merciful and driven to help.
When not to use
Do not use to describe an indifferent or merely polite gesture.
Fun facts
- In international law, 'compassionate grounds' is a formal legal justification for granting visas or sentence reductions.
Related words
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