adj
compassionate
kuhm-PA-shuh-nuht
adj
1
Showing genuine concern and kindness toward someone who is suffering.
"The compassionate doctor took extra time to comfort the frightened child."
"She gave a compassionate response instead of criticizing his mistake."
2
Granted as an exception because of a family emergency, illness, or bereavement.
"He was given compassionate leave to attend his father's funeral."
How to Use Compassionate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishKind and caring toward people who are struggling, or (of leave) granted for a personal emergency.
Common pairings
compassionate leave
compassionate care
compassionate towards
Word Forms
more compassionate comparative, compassionated past tense, compassionates singular, most compassionate superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “compassionate”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ doctor took extra time to comfort the frightened child.
Etymology
Built from compassion plus the adjective ending -ate.