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

Underlying your desire to give money to your nephews during their lifetime are, of course, compassion and loyalty — and the fact that you can.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Despite it all, Perry speaks of her mother with striking compassion.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

It creates the wealth that lets us push our way past our constant failures of personal compassion, sympathy and encouragement, so that those who don’t win are fed and housed and can live.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

As well as the presents, Jet2 sent the family free flight vouchers and thanked them for "showing the utmost compassion and kindness and care".

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The people who haven't earned it, who haven't even sought it, are the most meaningful recipients of our compassion.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

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