Synonyms of compassion

compassion

noun

kəm-ˈpa-shən 

1

as in sympathy

sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune

treats the homeless with great compassion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sympathy
• empathy
• feeling
• kindness
• commiseration
• regret
• pity
• generosity
• mercy
• sensitivity
• understanding
• humanity
• humaneness
• condolence
• kindliness
• altruism
• affinity
• ruth
• magnanimity
• rapport
• kindheartedness
• humanitarianism
• goodwill
• benevolence
• benignity
• warmheartedness
• philanthropy
• charity
• largesse
• softheartedness
• largeheartedness
• bigheartedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• callousness
• heartlessness
• cruelty
• insensitivity
• hatred
• unconcern
• hard-heartedness
• inhumanity
• coldheartedness
• hostility
• harshness
• animosity
• antipathy
• dislike

2

as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune

has no compassion for people who squander their money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kindness
• sympathy
• heart
• generosity
• mercy
• humanity
• pity
• feelings
• feeling
• sensitivity
• kindliness
• commiseration
• ruth
• kindheartedness
• responsiveness
• good-heartedness
• charity
• empathy
• warmheartedness
• love
• affection
• regard
• largeheartedness
• sensibility
• bigheartedness
• softheartedness
• altruism
• humanism
• humaneness
• rapport
• affinity
• humanitarianism
• goodwill
• benevolence
• philanthropy
• benignity
• benignancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• inhumanity
• coldness
• callousness
• cruelty
• disinterest
• unconcern
• mercilessness
• hatred
• pitilessness
• hard-heartedness
• coldheartedness
• hostility
• harshness
• inhumanness
• animosity
• antipathy
• dislike

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

Recent Examples of compassion

Mental illness deserves the same combination of faith, compassion and professional care as every other illness. — Geri McGinn Kerger, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

The ideological conflict here is between Zeus’ law, which insists on compassion, and the rules of combat, which increasingly demand that every rule be broken. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Many of this communication issues can be resolved by approaching the relationships with more compassion and empathy. — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 17 July 2026

As for Barroso, the mom-of-four aims to raise her children with self-esteem and compassion. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 17 July 2026