compassionate

adjective

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

Definition of compassionate

(Entry 1 of 2)

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.

compassionate

verb

com·pas·sion·ate | \ kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt

compassionated; compassionating

Definition of compassionate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

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

Other Words from compassionate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about compassionate

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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

Cabán’s emergence is part of a larger trend around the US toward electing progressives with defense chops, all calling for a more compassionate approach to criminal justice. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "The problem with Tiffany Cabán and the new cult of “progressive prosecutors”," 28 June 2019 The addition will allow the medical exams to be conducted in a compassionate way, but also meet the forensic protocols required for successful prosecutions, Morrison said. — Emily K. Coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "State capital bill includes funds for Lake County Children's Advocacy Center," 5 June 2019 Still officially unlicensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the vaccine is being donated by its manufacturer, Merck, and distributed under compassionate use protocols. — Nichole Sobecki, National Geographic, "The world's second-biggest Ebola outbreak is still raging. Here's why.," 24 May 2019 While still stern, intuitive parents have used consistent, loving and compassionate discipline as long as other parents have been spanking, and now the science is clearly on the side of not spanking. — Meghan Leahy, chicagotribune.com, "I don't want to spank my sassy 4-year-old. What should I do instead?," 5 July 2018 The family would like to thank the staff of Essex Meadows for their loving and compassionate care. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Gerard Emile Bonin," 8 May 2018 Kazovsky, for instance, is a Pisces Sun, a Cancer Rising, and a Scorpio Moon, and describes herself as compassionate, emotional, and with an active imagination. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, "Baby, What’s Your Sign? This Label Is Channeling the Spirit of the Zodiac in Thoughtful New Ways," 26 Apr. 2019 Zahra’s family submitted a request to Biogen for a discount or compassionate use of Spinraza in October. — Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, "One Family’s Struggle to Get Their Daughter Lifesaving Medication," 20 Jan. 2019 Caplan serves as an unpaid chair of a compassionate use advisory committee based at New York University and funded by Janssen, which is a division of Johnson & Johnson. — Sarah Jane Tribble, Washington Post, "Top Policy Expert’s Ties To Giant Drugmaker Often Go Unstated," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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, "Michael Stuhlbarg Is This Awards Season’s Most Valuable Player," 12 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compassionate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.