compassion

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compassion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of compassion are commiseration, condolence, pity, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When might commiseration be a better fit than compassion?

While in some cases nearly identical to compassion, commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

Where would condolence be a reasonable alternative to compassion?

While the synonyms condolence and compassion are close in meaning, condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

In what contexts can pity take the place of compassion?

In some situations, the words pity and compassion are roughly equivalent. However, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When is sympathy a more appropriate choice than compassion?

The words sympathy and compassion can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy
in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compassion Over time, that vision became Snow, Carpio & Weekley, a law firm built around compassion, advocacy, and expert guidance for workers facing the physical, financial, and emotional toll of a work injury. Wyles Daniel, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025 While navigating all of this, Bay stresses the importance of self compassion. Korin Miller, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025 Bold and deeply human, Punch is initially a bit slow on the wind up, but its stellar cast help weave together an almost unbelievable story of compassion and empathy in its second act that left many theatergoers sniffling in their seats. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025 And The Pitt tackled grief, miscarriage, mental health, mass shootings, and every sensitive case that came through the doors in 15 episodes with compassion, intention, and care in ways that felt revolutionary. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compassion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassion
Noun
  • But the attack in Grand Blanc this week has only brought others closer to the church in sympathy and care.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Many users expressed their sympathy, and some even had their own pets react to the sound from the video.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But thanks to a free tool called Love Lost and the kindness of a good neighbor, Louie is back home safe and sound.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • For her kindness and friendship, for her humour and irrepressible enthusiasm, for her curiosity, for her courage, and for her profound love of animals.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The attempt to build empathy An Israeli researcher of Middle East politics is trying to help restore empathy.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Technically speaking, Ares has an infant’s emotional maturity at first, but swiftly develops empathy and other sophisticated feelings.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Beneath a pink bow laden with rhinestones, colorful floral paper was dotted with rhinestones laid in heart and star shapes.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
  • At the end of 2023, the researchers compared the group with only one infection to the group with a second infection, focusing on Long COVID-like symptoms such as abdominal pain, respiratory distress, changes in taste and smell, fatigue, chest pain, myocarditis, or irregular heart beat.
    Alice Park, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compassion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassion. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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