COMPASSION Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

compassion

noun

kəm-ˈpa-shən

Definition of compassion

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Gill said the gathering allows children to see firsthand that their faith is not just something taught at home, but something lived through everyday acts of kindness and compassion. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026 The patron saint of charitable societies, he is primarily recognized for his charity and compassion for the poor, though he is also known for his reform of the clergy and for his early role in opposing Jansenism. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Immersed in a melting pot of Mexican, Filipino, African American, Japanese and Chinese working families, Huerta learned from her mother — who owned a restaurant and hotel — about independence, compassion and activism. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Their actions were nothing short of heroic and reflect the courage and compassion our officers bring to this community every day. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compassion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassion

Noun

Elsewhere, there’s no sympathy for the complexity of the challenge facing the American and Israeli strategists who instigated the conflict.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
When Lee mentions Nathan Spence was meant to attend the program, Jed barely flinches, expressing sympathy for the boy’s confused and grieving mother.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

Patience and kindness can go a long way, Henderson says, and Seshadri reminds everyone to extend that respect to the airport staff and your fellow passengers.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Be patient when a grocery store cashier with disabilities rings up your items — kindness can go a long way.

— John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

Still, any empathy that the series looks to drum up for him is limited by the fact that the character takes equality as an affront—Clive can’t feel tall without someone to stand over.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Build a culture where empathy and accountability are integral to performance.

— Dr. Manish Pratap Singh Chandel, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of empathy

Noun

During a recent interview with Fox News Digital, James, 32, opened up about how the project became a deeply personal way to reconnect with Bill, who passed away in February 2017 following heart surgery.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Sola Media managing director Solveig Langeland said mixing humor and heart has always sat at the center of the studio’s storytelling, backed by its skill at bringing characters to life through strong voice casts.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of heart

Browse Nearby Words

compassing

compassion

compassionate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compassion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassion. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of compassion

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes