compassion

American  

[kuhm-pash-uhn] / kəmˈpæʃ ən /

noun

1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

   Synonyms:

   clemency, heart, tenderness, mercy, commiseration

   Antonyms:

   indifference, mercilessness

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to have compassion for; compassionate.

compassion British  

/ kəmˈpæʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of another, often including the desire to alleviate it

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Usage

What does compassion mean? Compassion is a feeling of sympathy or pity for others, especially one that makes you want to help them. Compassion is sometimes used interchangeably with sympathy, which most most commonly means the sharing of emotions with someone else, especially sadness. Both words are used in the context of feeling sorry for people who are in negative situations. But compassion is often understood as a feeling that motivates you to help them. The opposite of compassion is often thought to be indifference or cold-heartedness. Someone who has compassion for others can be described as compassionate. Being compassionate typically means you care and you want to help. Example: We should treat people with compassion because that’s how we want to be treated.

Related Words

See sympathy.

Other Word Forms

• compassionless adjective
• uncompassion noun
• uncompassioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of compassion

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Late Latin compassiōn- (stem of compassiō ). See com-, passion

Explanation

If someone shows kindness, caring, and a willingness to help others, they're showing compassion. This is a word for a very positive emotion that has to do with being thoughtful and decent. Giving to a charity takes compassion. Volunteering to work with sick people or animals takes compassion. When you have compassion, you're putting yourself in someone else's shoes and really feeling for them. Anytime a disaster like a hurricane or earthquake hits, others will feel compassion for the victims. When you feel compassion for someone, you really want to help out.

Example Sentences

By simply telling us that compassion is possible without depicting the subtleties of human growth, “I Swear” functions more like an educational drama than a portrait of how to make real-life change.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

The sad saga of a humpback whale stranded a month ago on the German coast has sparked a flood of compassion but also a media frenzy, angry spats, conspiracy theories and death threats.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

"There is no soul, no compassion, no urgency and no real play or creativity. And for us to come hundreds of miles to watch this is atrocious."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Tan said that as an author, “I imagine the lives of the people I write about,” and that act of compassion “reflects our politics and our beliefs. And so yes, I am a political writer.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

During that week also, Queenie’s darling elegant French nanny, her lady mother’s constant companion, in a fit of maternal compassion began to knit Queenie a pullover.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• benevolence
• empathy
• grace
• humanity
• kindness
• mercy
• sorrow
• sympathy
• tenderness