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
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 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
Trump’s braggadocio State of the Union message about our surging economy and his compassionate ICE raids was the icing on the Circassian cake.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 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 primary seller gets to look benevolent, having kept prices low for fans.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
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While the kind of protection offered by Herakles or the Hulk comes with the risk of uncontrollable rage and indiscriminate destruction, and Oedipus seems more of a supervillain than a benevolent guardian, there was a kind of Greek hero that was seen as a defender.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Oliver said that the agricultural department is sympathetic toward the affected peach growers and does not mean to invoke the state abandoned orchard law as a threat.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the court appeared sympathetic to the A’s central claims, striking the petition only because a separate, ongoing legal process in Los Angeles has forced the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to keep its existing policies on the books for the time being.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
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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
Adjective
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Annually, on Mogen and Kernodle’s birthdays — designated Maddie May Day and Xanapalooza — the foundation encourages people to be kind to others and spend time with loved ones, in remembrance.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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Pai will play Henry, the head groundskeeper of Hartford Park, who is kind, charming, and knowledgeable about plants.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Awe-inspiring Jupiter is moving forward once more in your empathetic sign, lifting your confidence and inviting a fresh approach to self-care and personal goals.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Carpenter described her mentor as empathetic.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mom of five said the humane society told her -- and shared in a Facebook post -- that June had been spotted by someone at a local monument company in Needham, about 15 minutes and less than 10 miles from her home, and had brought him into the shelter.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Check your local humane shelter or reputable breeders in your area.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 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
-
Morning conversations favor clear requests and thoughtful answers.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
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During a recent trip to Tokyo, my husband and I—both new to the city—checked into a room with a comfortable wall-to-wall couch, a king-size bed with city views, and thoughtful details like a lovely tea set and a deep soaking tub.—
Lois Alter Mark,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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