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compassionate

/kəmˈpæʃənət/adjective

Feeling or showing kindness and a wish to help people who are suffering.

Example sentences

  • “The nurse was compassionate and calm with every frightened child.”
  • “He wrote a compassionate letter to the grieving family.”
  • “We need more compassionate leaders who listen to people.”

Often with 'toward' or 'to': compassionate toward refugees. 'Compassionate leave' is time off work because of a family death or illness.

Featured as word of the day on March 28, 2026.

Synonyms for compassionate

  • kind
  • caring
  • sympathetic
  • understanding
  • humane

Antonyms

Find it in: Positive words, Words to describe a person.

Related words