compassionate

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pas·​sion·​ate kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 

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 

compassionated; compassionating

transitive verb

: pity

… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …

—John Quincy Adams

Synonyms

Adjective

• benevolent
• kind
• humane
• sympathetic
• thoughtful
• gentle
• gracious
• friendly
• merciful

Verb

• pity

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

Doctor providing compassionate healthcare consultation while young couple patient holding hand, comfort each other after infertile report. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025

Empathy enhances your conversations as Mercury aligns with compassionate Neptune. —Usa Today, USA Today, 28 June 2025

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

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

Phrases Containing compassionate

• compassionate leave

Rhymes for compassionate

• dispassionate
• passionate