1
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a compassionate person by nature
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
At more than one of those stranger funerals, Harold meets Maude, equally taken with the subject of death but embracing it with a much more generous, compassionate worldview.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Feb. 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
The State of Texas must pick up on compassionate border security that picks up where the Federal Government falls short.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
At more than one of those stranger funerals, Harold meets Maude, equally taken with the subject of death but embracing it with a much more generous, compassionate worldview.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Feb. 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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The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Courtenay, as a caregiver with deeply sympathetic layers, exhibits frustration and compassion in equal measure, blending the obstinate protestations of a man in his twilight years with the lifelong tenderness and wisdom that often accompany them.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.—
Kevin Sherrington,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
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So horrific were the conditions, Tamimy at times pitied those brought to the hospital.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Whatever the politicians say, many want to be kinder to the planet as well.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Those who knew Kok described him to the Daily News in 2019 as a kind and humble gentleman who traveled long distances for jobs in the service industry.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Advisers had been encouraging the president to sound more empathetic toward struggling Americans.—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
15 Feb. 2026
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Aeryn is introduced as cold and relatively emotionless, while John is the more empathetic and caring of the pair.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But the county’s unofficial network of cat feeders say their efforts are key to providing a humane existence for the thousands of strays trying to survive without homes.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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Congress should take a practical, comprehensive approach that strengthens border security while creating an immigration system that is orderly, humane, and reflective of our values.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As Cancer signs are protective, empathic and deeply attuned to emotional undercurrents, the actor is able to embody that as his character Evan serves as the group’s moral compass.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
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Being empathic in your interactions with others.—
Mena Mirhom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The trend toward a more sustainable Mardi Gras has been growing for years and includes a small but growing variety of more thoughtful throws like food, soaps and sunglasses.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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This essay came with critical comments, too, and most of those ignored the fact that Charli has been trying to have more thoughtful conversations about pop music, consumption, and celebrity for years online.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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