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
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
That statement perfectly captures who Nathan is— a thoughtful, grounded, and compassionate leader.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Faced with the sniveling sum of these failures, Garfield is startled but compassionate.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
That statement perfectly captures who Nathan is— a thoughtful, grounded, and compassionate leader.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
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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And while All’s Fair could have won us over to its cause had the cases been more benevolent or moral, the women’s work so far similarly lacks depth.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
-
America appears to be, at the moment, in a sort of benevolent hostage situation.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito signaled views mostly sympathetic to the president.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Lennon, who grew up in a fractured home with little connection to global politics, is sympathetic when the Irish Liberation Army gets in touch and wants to plan concert tours that will raise bail money for their members.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As for whether Hart, who is shown in the opening scene of the film collapsed in an alley, should be pitied, Hawke says that’s too simple of an emotion for the brilliant, but complicated character.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
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But pity the Globes, SAG, Critics Choice and other shows that used to thrive by getting to recognize television’s top new shows before the Emmys.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the past, things had been worked out regarding Billy Gunn appearing at the WWE Hall Of Fame, Bryan Danielson giving kind words in a John Cena tribute show, and Chris Jericho appearing on Steve Austin’s podcast on the WWE Network.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Spirited, political, and deeply kind individuals, the Christos were passionately devoted to their artistic vision.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Arora’s advice is direct but empathetic.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Her son’s response was surprising, but equally empathetic.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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By bringing theater to people who often can’t access it, Robbins’ life mission is to show how theater can be a tool to help people become more humane.—
Senior Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Dutch is a typical Schwarzenegger hero — all rippling muscle and bravery — but with a humane integrity that compels him to keep his team safe.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And his approach to directing is as empathic as his films.—
James Somers,
New Yorker,
6 Nov. 2025
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But the most important thing for me is an empathic connection to a person.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The guest experience is elevated by thoughtful details such as sunset happy hours and chocolate carts.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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But some more thoughtful objections — see journalist Van Lathan’s October appearance on The Ringer podcast The Big Picture — take issue with the ways in which Perfidia is sexualized by two white men, DiCaprio and Sean Penn’s characters, the latter a neo-Nazi.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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