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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compassionate
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
Brendan Harris, who has been clean for six years, claims addicts need a firm but compassionate push into treatment.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 May 2025
Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2023
He was recognized by Duke as being a competitor on the field and compassionate off it.
—J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Dec. 2020
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Adjective
His online rebuke of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their harsh and cruel immigration policies aligns with the humane and compassionate approach of Francis and church teachings.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
Brendan Harris, who has been clean for six years, claims addicts need a firm but compassionate push into treatment.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 May 2025
Verb
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
He was recognized by Duke as being a competitor on the field and compassionate off it.
—J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Dec. 2020
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassionate
Adjective
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There is, equally, a certain childish hope that Vuong’s reader will approach him with the benevolent incomprehension of a maternal figure.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
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This allowed people to keep believing in a fundamentally benevolent government despite their experiences.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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On social media, where content creators have been dissecting the case, some commenters have been distressingly sympathetic to Diddy’s defense.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2025
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There’s not a single sympathetic White character in the film.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Which isn’t to suggest that we’re asked to pity him.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2025
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Just thinking about the poor suckers who had to guard her in high school makes Fudd pity them.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Before his latest movie premiered, festival chief Thierry Frémaux shared some kind words with the crowd about Washington.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2025
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In the workplace, how kind (or not critical) one is to themself is likely not the first place managers will jump to when thinking about how to improve safety processes at work.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Coordinated, compassionate and empathetic care empowers women to take charge of their health with confidence, supporting both immediate concerns and long-term wellness.—
Carol Walter,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Nearly a month later, her experiment in culinary nostalgia and empathetic ownership continues in what Armenta has christened East Los Pantry.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The humane society believes he may have been born blind.—
Simone Jasper,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2025
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The all-white pup has spent 281 days — much of her short life — in the humane society’s care, shelter officials said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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For 55 years, the characters of Sesame Street have taught us how to count, how to read — and as importantly, how to be kind, empathic and compassionate.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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If layoffs are in your future, the process must be empathic, thoughtful and well coordinated.—
Meg Wheaton,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Tesfaye’s bold and electric presence onstage and onscreen is an intriguing counterpoint to the thoughtful and soft-spoken man who sits for a chat about his movie.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Practice, Practice, Practice One of the ways that the greats prepare themselves for the biggest moments is through thoughtful preparation.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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