compassionate

1 of 2

adjective

com·pas·sion·ate kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət

Synonyms of compassionate next

: having or showing compassion : sympathetic

a compassionate friend

a compassionate smile

: granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual

—used of some military privileges (such as leave)

The soldier was granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.

compassionately adverb

compassionateness noun

compassionate

2 of 2

verb

com·pas·sion·ate kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt

compassionated; compassionating

transitive verb

: pity

… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …—

John Quincy Adams

Examples of compassionate in a Sentence

Adjective a compassionate person by nature a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better Verb a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Months later, that same employee thanked her for being both direct and compassionate. —

Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024 In true Arkham tradition, Rush crosses professional boundaries but in ways that are unexpected, revealing, and compassionate. —

Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024

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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compassionate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.