compassionate

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pas·​sion·​ate kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce compassionate (audio)
1
: having or showing compassion : sympathetic
a compassionate friend
a compassionate smile
2
: granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual
used of some military privileges (such as leave)
The soldier was granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.
compassionately adverb
compassionateness noun

compassionate

2 of 2

verb

com·​pas·​sion·​ate kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt How to pronounce compassionate (audio)
compassionated; compassionating

transitive verb

: pity
… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …John Quincy Adams

Examples of compassionate in a Sentence

Adjective a compassionate person by nature a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better Verb a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Some see it as a kind, compassionate representation of the social challenges people with autism face. Aj Willingham, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 This devoted, compassionate and driven woman was Margaret Stansbury, who came to Detroit in 1894 to teach at the prestigious Detroit Conservatory of Music. Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024 In Psychology found that using rosy retrospection and writing a compassionate letter to your past self can be a healing tool to cope with negative experiences in the present. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Palliative psychiatry offers a compassionate and appropriate approach for people who may feel hopeless. Anand Kumar, STAT, 27 Feb. 2024 Accompanied by experienced translators fluent in their language, patients find themselves in the care of not just dentists but compassionate allies. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 These principles have sharpened my approach to complex challenges, fostering a more compassionate and direct mindset. Greg Salvato, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 In an online obituary, Ellyse was remembered as someone who had a sarcastic sense of humor and was compassionate. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 The city should be supportive throughout the city and be compassionate to communities of color. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
Yet while 67% of white people who are eligible for PrEP are on it, only 8% eligible Black people are, often citing lack of access to healthcare or to compassionate healthcare. Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2023 He was recognized by Duke as being a competitor on the field and compassionate off it. J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Dec. 2020 At age 49, the Juilliard graduate, who can easily transform from menacing mob boss to compassionate father with a mere expression change, is having the kind of year an actor can only dream about. Nicole Sperling, HWD, 12 Dec. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compassionate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see compassion

Verb

see compassion

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compassionate was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near compassionate

Cite this Entry

“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassionate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on compassionate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!