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compassion
[ kuhm-pash-uhn ]
noun
- a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Synonyms: tenderness, commiseration, clemency, heart, mercy
Antonyms: mercilessness, indifference
verb (used with object)
- Archaic. to have compassion for; compassionate.
compassion
/ kəmˈpæʃən /
noun
- a feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of another, often including the desire to alleviate it
Other Words From
- com·passion·less adjective
- uncom·passion noun
- uncom·passioned adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of compassion1
Word History and Origins
Origin of compassion1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
In his former role as director of public prosecutions, Sir Keir changed legal guidance to make it less likely that people motivated by compassion to help someone die would face prosecution.
The historically Black college’s athletic director praised the student-athlete as “a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.”
"It's amazing to witness the genuine care and compassion people have shown toward these magnificent animals," the department's operations manager Joel Lauterbach said.
“I’m sure the residents who live by any of the encampments could tell you they didn’t receive any empathy or compassion when the encampments were placed on their doorstep,” Ms Purdy told the BBC.
At the time, royal sources said she decided to join Prince William to show her "support, empathy and compassion to the local community".
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More About Compassion
What does compassion mean?
Compassion is a feeling of sympathy or pity for others, especially one that makes you want to help them.
Compassion is sometimes used interchangeably with sympathy, which most most commonly means the sharing of emotions with someone else, especially sadness. Both words are used in the context of feeling sorry for people who are in negative situations. But compassion is often understood as a feeling that motivates you to help them.
The opposite of compassion is often thought to be indifference or cold-heartedness.
Someone who has compassion for others can be described as compassionate. Being compassionate typically means you care and you want to help.
Example: We should treat people with compassion because that’s how we want to be treated.
Where does compassion come from?
The first records of the word compassion come from the 1300s. It comes from the Late Latin compassiō, meaning “fellow feeling,” from compatī, “to suffer with.” Compassion and sympathy are sometimes used to mean the same thing, and their roots mean the same things, too. The pathy in sympathy and the passion in compassion are both rooted in words that mean “to suffer,” and the com- and sym- at the beginning of each word both mean “with.”
Compassion may involve sharing in someone’s suffering, but the word most commonly refers to a desire to end that suffering by helping in some way. It’s often associated with other words related to caring about people, such as kindness and empathy.
The phrase compassion fatigue refers to a kind of burnout that can result from constantly having to care for others or from being frequently faced with things intended to produce compassion, such as frequent requests for charitable donations.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to compassion?
- compassionate (adjective)
- compassionless (adjective)
What are some synonyms for compassion?
What are some words that share a root or word element with compassion?
What are some words that often get used in discussing compassion?
How is compassion used in real life?
Compassion is often used in the discussion of why people should treat others with kindness—as well as in the discussion of how some people don’t.
Be mindful of your reactions. When you’re negative, it will bring about negative consequences. Always choose kindness, love and compassion over anger, pride, jealousy, arrogance and malice. Learn to respond in a positive manner. It will have a huge impact on your life!
— Mufti Menk (@muftimenk) September 8, 2020
Forgiveness doesn’t come easily for everyone, but the kind of forgiveness that really matters is the forgiveness that resides in your own heart.
Self-compassion is what will enable you to learn and grow and become the best version of yourself.
Have a Nice day.— Baddoleesa (@baddoleesa) September 8, 2020
In these unprecedented times empathy and common decency are key to protecting all Americans. Such despicable actions from a public servant simply serve to show the lack of compassion exhibited for everyday Texans.
— Dr. Eliz Markowitz (@ElizMarkowitz) September 15, 2020
Try using compassion!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of compassion?
A. happiness
B. kindness
C. sympathy
D. clemency
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