compassionate

1 of 2

adjective

com·pas·sion·ate kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət

Synonyms of compassionate next

: having or showing compassion : sympathetic

a compassionate friend

a compassionate smile

: granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual

—used of some military privileges (such as leave)

The soldier was granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.

compassionately adverb

compassionateness noun

compassionate

2 of 2

verb

com·pas·sion·ate kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt

compassionated; compassionating

transitive verb

: pity

… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …—

John Quincy Adams

Examples of compassionate in a Sentence

Adjective a compassionate person by nature a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better Verb a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains

Recent Examples on the Web

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Adjective

Sully’s request for compassionate release is rejected, much to Ripley’s dismay. —

Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 20 Nov. 2024 He was subsequently released in April 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic permitted compassionate release for some inmates with health conditions, but was arrested on October 29 for failing drug tests and traveling without his probation officer’s okay. —

Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Verb

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 He was recognized by Duke as being a competitor on the field and compassionate off it. —

J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Dec. 2020 See all Example Sentences for compassionate