Compassion — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /kəm-ˈpa-shən/ com·pas·sion

Meaning & Definition of Compassion

Compassion (noun)

  1. sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

Compassion (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune

    "treats the homeless with great compassion"

    similar: commiseration, feeling, sympathy
    related: condolence, regret, humaneness, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, warmheartedness, affinity, empathy, rapport, sensitivity, understanding, altruism, benevolence, benignity, bigheartedness, charity, generosity, goodwill, humanitarianism, largeheartedness, largesse, magnanimity, philanthropy
    opposite: callousness, coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, heartlessness
    near: indifference, insensitivity, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, inhumanity, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility

  2. the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune

    "has no compassion for people who squander their money"

    similar: bigheartedness, charity, commiseration, feeling, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, sympathy, warmheartedness
    related: feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitivity, affection, love, regard, affinity, empathy, rapport, altruism, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humaneness, humanism, humanitarianism, philanthropy
    opposite: coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness
    near: callousness, coldness, disinterest, indifference, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compassion

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compassion:

commiseration, feeling, sympathy, bigheartedness, charity, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, warmheartedness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Compassion

Words with the opposite meaning of Compassion:

callousness, coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, heartlessness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness

Related Words for Compassion

condolence, regret, humaneness, affinity, empathy, rapport, sensitivity, understanding, altruism, benevolence, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humanitarianism, largesse, magnanimity, philanthropy, feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, affection, love, regard, benignancy, humanism

Near Antonyms of Compassion

indifference, insensitivity, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility, coldness, disinterest

Word Forms of Compassion

Derived words: compassionless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Compassion

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin compassion-, compassio, from compati to sympathize, from Latin com- + pati to bear, suffer patient

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Compassion

Words & Phrases Containing Compassion

compassion fatigue

Frequently Asked Questions about Compassion

What does "Compassion" mean?

"Compassion" means sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. As a noun, it is defined as: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Compassion"?

Other words for "Compassion" include commiseration, feeling, sympathy, bigheartedness, charity, good-heartedness, heart and humanity. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compassion" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compassion"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compassion". Common alternatives include commiseration, feeling, sympathy, bigheartedness, charity, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness and kindliness.

What is the opposite of "Compassion"?

Antonyms of "Compassion" include callousness, coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, heartlessness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness and pitilessness. Near antonyms include indifference, insensitivity, unconcern and cruelty.

How do you use "Compassion" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compassion" in a sentence: "treats the homeless with great compassion"; "has no compassion for people who squander their money".

Is "Compassion" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Compassion" is a noun.

Is "Compassion" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Compassion" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Compassion"?

"Compassion" is pronounced /kəm-ˈpa-shən/ and divided into syllables as com·pas·sion.