compassionate
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for compassionate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Showing genuine concern and kindness toward someone who is suffering.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use compassionate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Built from compassion plus the adjective ending -ate.
Full origin of compassionate →Frequently asked questions
What does “compassionate” mean?
The word “compassionate” means showing genuine concern and kindness toward someone who is suffering. In plain terms, kind and caring toward people who are struggling, or (of leave) granted for a personal emergency.
How do you pronounce “compassionate”?
“Compassionate” is pronounced kuhm-PA-shuh-nuht (/kəmˈpæʃənət/ in IPA).
How do you use “compassionate” in a sentence?
Here is “compassionate” used in a sentence: “The compassionate doctor took extra time to comfort the frightened child.”
What part of speech is “compassionate”?
“Compassionate” is an adjective.
Is “compassionate” a common word?
“Compassionate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “compassionate” have?
“Compassionate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing genuine concern and kindness toward someone who is suffering.
What is the difference between compassionate and sympathetic?
Compassionate implies genuine concern and kindness toward someone who is suffering, often paired with a desire to help, while sympathetic more narrowly means feeling or expressing sorrow for another's misfortune, without necessarily acting on it. A compassionate person tends to offer active support, whereas a sympathetic person shares the feeling.
What is the difference between compassionate and empathetic?
Compassionate emphasizes kindness and concern directed at someone who is suffering, often with a motivation to ease that suffering, while empathetic emphasizes understanding or sharing another person's feelings from their perspective. Someone can be empathetic, understanding how another feels, without necessarily acting compassionately to help.