compassion
Compassion (noun) means a deep sense of concern for someone else's suffering, strong enough to make you want to help. Example: “The nurses treated every patient with compassion, no matter how difficult the case.”
How to use compassion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGenuinely caring about someone's pain and being moved to do something about it.
Similar to sympathy, but compassion carries a stronger urge to act and help, not just to feel sorry.
Word forms
compassioned past tense, compassions plural, compassions singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurses treated every patient with _____, no matter how difficult the case.
Etymology
From Latin compati, "to suffer together with" — com- ("together") plus pati ("to suffer"), the same root as "patient" and "passion."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for compassion
Frequently asked questions
What does “compassion” mean?
The word “compassion” means a deep sense of concern for someone else's suffering, strong enough to make you want to help. In plain terms, genuinely caring about someone's pain and being moved to do something about it.
How do you pronounce “compassion”?
“Compassion” is pronounced kuhm-PASH-uhn (/kəmˈpæʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “compassion” in a sentence?
Here is “compassion” used in a sentence: “The nurses treated every patient with compassion, no matter how difficult the case.”
What is another word for “compassion”?
Words with a similar meaning to “compassion” include empathy, mercy, ruth, pity, sorrow and tenderheartedness.
What is the opposite of “compassion”?
The opposite of “compassion” — its antonyms — are compassionlessness, ruthlessness, pitilessness, uncompassion and unpity.
What part of speech is “compassion”?
“Compassion” is a noun.
Where does the word “compassion” come from?
The word “compassion” comes from Latin. From Latin compati, "to suffer together with" — com- ("together") plus pati ("to suffer"), the same root as "patient" and "passion.".
Is “compassion” a common word?
“Compassion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between compassion and empathy?
Empathy is the ability to feel or understand what another person is feeling. Compassion goes a step further: it is that concern for someone's suffering combined with a genuine desire to help relieve it.
What is the difference between compassion and sympathy?
Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone from a certain distance, acknowledging their difficulty. Compassion is deeper and more active, involving a heartfelt concern for their suffering that moves you to want to do something about it.
What is the difference between compassion and pity?
Pity can carry a sense of looking down on someone or feeling sorry for them from above. Compassion implies shared concern and respect, focusing on relieving another's suffering rather than simply feeling sorry for them.
What are common collocations with compassion?
Compassion frequently appears in phrases like 'show compassion', 'act of compassion', 'treat someone with compassion', and 'compassion fatigue', which describes the exhaustion carers can feel from constant caring.