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
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
But have no fear, Love on the Spectrum follows the cast's journeys to find love with a compassionate rather than voyeuristic eye.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 1 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
The once-compassionate Democratic Party used to mobilize government for the downtrodden and check crony capitalism’s greed.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
But have no fear, Love on the Spectrum follows the cast's journeys to find love with a compassionate rather than voyeuristic eye.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 1 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
-
The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Was sympathetic blood magic involved in Amy Madigan casting a spell over the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild?—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
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Both sides believed that any sympathetic act toward the enemy would represent an insult to their own soldiers.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.—
Kevin Sherrington,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
So horrific were the conditions, Tamimy at times pitied those brought to the hospital.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Thank you, too, to the dozens of people who wrote in with kind corrections.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Vargo also recalled a kind woman who had a gentle spirit.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The princess’s message closes with a call for hope that encapsulates her new tone, which is sober, empathetic, and deeply human.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
5 Feb. 2026
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Lesther Alemán, then a student leader who frequently interacted with Dogu during the 2018 protests, described her as publicly blunt but privately empathetic.—
Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bernstein, in fact, opened the Kennedy Center with Mass, which was not an actual Catholic service but a musical-theater performance about one, with a humane hippie-friendly priest known as the Celebrant at its heart.—
Christopher Robbins,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
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While the company continues to refine its technology, its broader vision remains focused on building systems that are humane in intent, measured in execution, and sustainable in practice.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As Cancer signs are protective, empathic and deeply attuned to emotional undercurrents, the actor is able to embody that as his character Evan serves as the group’s moral compass.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
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Being empathic in your interactions with others.—
Mena Mirhom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And thanks to a thoughtful renovation, this particular farmhouse is ready to begin its next chapter.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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In his view, growth means extending the reach of a thoughtful approach while preserving the personal relationships that define his work.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassionate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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