COMPASSION Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'compassion' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of compassion are commiseration , condolence , pity , and sympathy . While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare. // treats the homeless with great compassion

Q: When might 'commiseration' be a better fit than 'compassion'?

While in some cases nearly identical to compassion , commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort. // murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

Q: Where would 'condolence' be a reasonable alternative to 'compassion'?

While the synonyms condolence and compassion are close in meaning, condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss. // expressed their condolences to the widow

Q: In what contexts can 'pity' take the place of 'compassion'?

In some situations, the words pity and compassion are roughly equivalent. However, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress. // felt pity for the captives

Q: When is 'sympathy' a more appropriate choice than 'compassion'?

The words sympathy and compassion can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort. // went to my best friend for sympathy // in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

compassion

noun

kəm-ˈpa-shən

Definition of compassion next

as in sympathy

sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune treats the homeless with great compassion

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as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune has no compassion for people who squander their money

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun compassion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of compassion are commiseration, condolence, pity, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When might commiseration be a better fit than compassion?

While in some cases nearly identical to compassion, commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

Where would condolence be a reasonable alternative to compassion?

While the synonyms condolence and compassion are close in meaning, condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

In what contexts can pity take the place of compassion?

In some situations, the words pity and compassion are roughly equivalent. However, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When is sympathy a more appropriate choice than compassion?

The words sympathy and compassion can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy

in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of compassion Asking what people could do to make the situation better can also help young children focus on the positive, and can foster good citizenship and compassion. —

Ella Cerón, Parents, 22 Jan. 2025 Your kindness and compassion means the world to us. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025 And yet the response from the nation’s incoming president and many of his political allies has been utterly devoid of caring or compassion. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 Takeaway: Both extremes—leaning solely on brilliance or compassion—fail to unlock a team’s full potential. —

Ajit Dodani, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for compassion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassion

Noun

Liu doesn’t invite a shred of sympathy for this pitiless mom.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Trump has long expressed sympathy for his supporters accused or found guilty of crimes for their involvement in the riot.

— Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2025

Definition of sympathy

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“Compassion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassion. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: 28 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of compassion

noun

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