com·pas·sion·ate
kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 
1
: having or showing compassion : sympathetic
a compassionate friend
a compassionate smile
2
: 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
com·pas·sion·ate
kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt
compassionated; compassionating
: pity
… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …—
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy AdamsExamples 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
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
By 2035, Riley hopes to have one million compassionate leaders sign the pledge on his website and inspire them to success.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The solution is to shift from empathy to compassionate accountability: Instead of feeling with the person, focus on walking beside them while holding the line.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
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Adjective
Many flooded the comments with a mix of practical advice, anecdotes and compassionate words.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
By 2035, Riley hopes to have one million compassionate leaders sign the pledge on his website and inspire them to success.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Modern Legal is not only a firm dedicated to compassionate legal advocacy but also underscores the critical role of education in empowering individuals.
—Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The solution is to shift from empathy to compassionate accountability: Instead of feeling with the person, focus on walking beside them while holding the line.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassionate. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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