compassionate

American  

[kuhm-pash-uh-nit, kuhm-pash-uh-neyt] / kəmˈpæʃ ə nɪt, kəmˈpæʃ əˌneɪt /

adjective

1. having or showing compassion.

   a compassionate person; a compassionate letter.

   Synonyms:

   tender, sympathetic, pitying

2. granted in an emergency.

   compassionate military leave granted to attend a funeral.

3. Obsolete. pitiable.

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verb (used with object)

compassionated, compassionating

1. Archaic. to pity or have compassion for.

compassionate British  

/ kəmˈpæʃənət /

adjective

1. showing or having compassion

2. leave granted, esp to a serviceman, on the grounds of bereavement, family illness, etc

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Usage

What does compassionate mean? Compassionate means having compassion—a feeling of sympathy or pity for others, especially one that makes you want to help them. Being compassionate typically means you care and you want to help. The word can describe a person, their actions, or a situation that involves or is based on compassion. The word compassion is sometimes used interchangeably with sympathy, and compassionate is sometimes used to mean sympathetic, which most most commonly means sharing emotions with someone else, especially sadness. These words are all used in the context of feeling sorry for people who are in negative situations. But being compassionate is often understood as having a feeling that motivates you to help them. The opposite of being compassionate is being uncompassionate—indifferent or cold-hearted. The word compassionate can also be used in a more specific way to mean granted in circumstances that call for compassion. The word is used this way in the phrase compassionate leave, which refers to permission to be absent, such as from military duty, due to a death or illness in the family or other personal reasons. Example: We should be compassionate toward others because that’s how we want to be treated.

Other Word Forms

• compassionately
  adverb
• compassionateness
  noun
• uncompassionate
  adjective
• uncompassionately
  adverb
• uncompassionateness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of compassionate

First recorded in 1580–90; compassion + -ate ¹

Explanation

If you are compassionate, you feel other people's pain and struggles as though they were your own. Compassionate people are often moved to work to end the suffering of others, perhaps by feeding the hungry or educating the poor. Compassionate comes from the Old French noun compassion, which means "sympathy, pity." The adjective, pronounced "cuhm-PASH-uh-nuht," means "sympathetic," like a compassionate friend who shares in your joys and sadnesses, wanting the best for you. As a verb, compassionate, here pronounced "cuhm-PASH-uh-nate," means "pity," as in your ability to compassionate with stray dogs and cats.

Example Sentences

She remembers her as a “loving, kind and compassionate young lady.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

"A graceful and compassionate soul whose presence brought warmth, dignity, and kindness to all those who knew her," it read, adding: "We honour her journey, her strength, and the love she shared so generously."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

In fact, however, he had no involvement with either; moreover his representation of black people throughout his work was unfailingly compassionate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

It takes an exceptional piece of art to inspire audiences to think twice about what comes as second nature, to choose compassionate contemplation over ardent debate.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

I spent my time with Mr. Gable trying not to be a compassionate person.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Related Words

• benevolent
• charitable
• humane
• merciful
• sympathetic
• warm
• warmhearted