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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compassionate
Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Conyngham had identified an immunotherapy drug from a pharmaceutical company, but the manufacturer refused to provide it for compassionate use, leaving him momentarily discouraged.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Adjective
Parental leave at full pay for all employees sounds compassionate in the abstract, but the actuarial math is brutal, effectively doubling the cost of teacher absences.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Conyngham had identified an immunotherapy drug from a pharmaceutical company, but the manufacturer refused to provide it for compassionate use, leaving him momentarily discouraged.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
The solution is to shift from empathy to compassionate accountability: Instead of feeling with the person, focus on walking beside them while holding the line.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassionate
Adjective
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McTeigue created subtle variations on the mask so that V could look slightly more sinister or benevolent depending on the lighting.—
Matthew Huff,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The primary seller gets to look benevolent, having kept prices low for fans.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His sympathetic patter also gives Guirgis an opportunity to start weaving in the character’s politics.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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To the chat-group members, her signature came as a particular disappointment, because she was seen as more sympathetic to their concerns.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Love Story, by turns, elevates its lovers, pities them, humanizes them.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
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Don't pity me too much, though—I've compiled a few secrets from expert travelers on how to make the most of my time in the middle seat.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Something as small as a kind word to a stranger can be as impactful as any headlining performance.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
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These are big walleyes, the kind sportsmen pose with for pictures in the local newspapers.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Your 9th House of Mental Growth takes the spotlight as the empathetic Moon fusses over combative Mars.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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As parents struggle to raise empathetic kids amid a post-pandemic mental health crisis with major concerns about the negative impact of technology and a bleak political climate, groups like the Radical Monarchs are essential sociopolitical support systems.—
Kamren Curiel,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Burke believed that manners and mores, customs and norms, codes of conduct, and beauty itself made life more humane.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
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According to Post-Tribune archives, 163 of those animals were picked up by owners, and 328 were adopted or sent to humane shelters.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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School for Defectors, with its endearing cast of students and empathic educators, is also resonating with audiences, to judge from the response at True/False.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
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Caleb and Tarim's relationship is both incredibly sexy in very overt ways, but wraps that into the concept of Betazed's open sexuality and empathic ability.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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October 23 – November 21 This morning favors calm, thoughtful exchanges.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
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As with the others, Bjorn and wife and creative director Julija’s thoughtful touches are everywhere, from the singular pieces of vintage decor that fill the rooms to the economical (and ecological) construction of the cabins.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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