1
as in sympathy
sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune
treats the homeless with great compassion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kindness
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune
has no compassion for people who squander their money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compassion
Commonplace virtues turn toward vice: compassion veers toward deceit, attentive parenting toward either laxity or oppressiveness, friendship toward jealousy or contempt, sociability toward falsehood or cruelty.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025
One of Hunter’s great gifts as a writer is the simultaneous expansiveness and precision of his compassion.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
This is a scandalous example of a broken system where common sense and good judgment were overruled by bad advice, lack of compassion, irresponsible fiscal oversight and a litigious culture.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
Time is malleable, reality is only a function of our choices, and people can create their own second chances — ideas that Universal Language borrows from Kiarostami’s cinematic library of compassion, and then makes its own.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compassion
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025
One of Hunter’s great gifts as a writer is the simultaneous expansiveness and precision of his compassion.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
This is a scandalous example of a broken system where common sense and good judgment were overruled by bad advice, lack of compassion, irresponsible fiscal oversight and a litigious culture.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
Time is malleable, reality is only a function of our choices, and people can create their own second chances — ideas that Universal Language borrows from Kiarostami’s cinematic library of compassion, and then makes its own.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compassion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassion
Noun
-
Much like filmmaking, which is perhaps why the movie finds sympathy in a tale of concession and economic exploitation.—
Matt Shaw,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Trump certainly lacks admiration for the liberal order’s achievements and sympathy for its basic ethos.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond baseball, Art was known for his kindness, humor, and deep appreciation for the people around him.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
9 Mar. 2025
-
And for Katelyn, the internet's kindness has arrived exactly at the right time.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And trying to start from a place of empathy of like, these are two parts of the same person who are both trapped in their circumstances in really different ways.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Feb. 2025
-
True friendship is built on respect, empathy, and reciprocity—qualities missing in this exchange.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
These basic concepts of freedom are at the very heart of Hamilton.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
-
At heart, the brand messaging is consistent: Individuals who work hard and win reward themselves with a Rolex.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compassion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassion. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share