1
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a compassionate person by nature
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sympathetic
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another
a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to pity
to have sympathy for
a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compassionate
Dylan Matthews, Vox, 22 May 2025
Nationwide, individuals and organizations work tirelessly to support veterans through mental health programs, compassionate outreach, and advocacy.
—Ken Fisher, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Adjective
The legacy of compassionate conservatism is a prescription drug benefit in Medicare administered by private insurers; the legacy of reform conservatism is mostly increasing the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 in 2017.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 22 May 2025
Nationwide, individuals and organizations work tirelessly to support veterans through mental health programs, compassionate outreach, and advocacy.
—Ken Fisher, Boston Herald, 20 May 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
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassionate
Adjective
-
New Delhi and Islamabad found a way to de-escalate, stop the fighting and move toward a future that will hopefully be more benevolent than the past.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Their expensive quest is financially backed by a seemingly benevolent billionaire Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), who has his own reasons for helping Luke and Charlotte.—
Eric Andersson,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As the only one with a sense of humor and a semblance of perspective, Jeff is the most sympathetic of this toxic crew.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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The Trump administration has framed support for Palestinians — which Khalil’s grandparents were — as antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
Verb
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These individuals are to be pitied rather than ostracized.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
14 May 2025
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Which isn’t to suggest that we’re asked to pity him.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That relationship is built, visit by visit, kind interaction after warm conversation.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
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Ultimately, however, the union won its contract. 1995: In the largest takeover of its kind, federal housing officials took control of the Chicago Housing Authority four days after its chairman, Vince Lane, and the CHA board resigned under a cloud of mismanagement.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Begin with self-awareness strategies like learning your own stress triggers and communicating with clear, empathetic intention during high-pressure situations.—
Ayaskant Sarangi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Purdum’s empathetic biography endorses that assessment.—
Julia M. Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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This film is, however, firmly rooted in the here and now of these characters, the present moment of Nadia’s pregnancy and the stresses placed on the couple, which are sensitively explored within a warm and humane framework.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Artificial empathy, a concept explored in AI research, aims to model empathic understanding computationally.—
Yujia Zhu,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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For 55 years, the characters of Sesame Street have taught us how to count, how to read — and as importantly, how to be kind, empathic and compassionate.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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While these fears may be well-founded, our response should not be to reject crypto altogether, but rather embrace thoughtful policies to mitigate risks, protect consumers, and promote transparency.—
Jeremy Cooney,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
-
Project confidence and act with thoughtful reflection.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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