Word
compassion
Phoneticscom·pas·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpæʃən/
UK/kəmpˈæʃən/
Definitions
01sympathy for others
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Psychology
n. a feeling of pity and concern for others who are suffering, along with a wish to help them.
n. an empathetic awareness of others' distress combined with a desire to alleviate it. Uncountable in general usage.
“The nurse showed great compassion while caring for the elderly patients.”
“The humanitarian organisation was founded on the principle of universal compassion for those displaced by armed conflict.”
Antonyms
02kindness toward oneself
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Psychology Academic
n. being kind and understanding toward yourself when you suffer or fail.
n. the practice of extending kindness and understanding to oneself during instances of perceived inadequacy or suffering.
“Learning to have compassion for your own mistakes is important for mental health.”
“Psychologists often advocate for self-compassion as a healthier alternative to relentless self-criticism in high-pressure environments.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to feel pity
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to feel sorry for someone.
v. to feel or show pity toward another person. This verbal use is no longer found in contemporary English.
“In the old story, the king began to compassion the poor beggar.”
“The poet wrote of how the heavens might compassion the plight of the fallen hero.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “compassion” in context.
Verb
01. arouse compassion
“The documentary was designed to arouse compassion in viewers who were unaware of the crisis.”
verb + noun
02. feel compassion for the homeless
“It is impossible not to feel compassion for the homeless families living in such harsh conditions.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. show compassion for the victims
“The community showed immense compassion for the victims of the flood by providing food and shelter.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. boundless compassion
“His boundless compassion led him to dedicate his entire life to charitable work.”
adj + noun
05. deep compassion
“She spoke with deep compassion about the struggles faced by refugees.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. act of compassion
“Giving up his seat for the elderly woman was a simple but meaningful act of compassion.”
noun + of + noun
07. lack of compassion
“Critics condemned the government's lack of compassion toward the unemployed.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. out of compassion
“He decided to drop the charges against the thief out of compassion for the man's desperate situation.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Lennon told BBC Scotland News that Scottish Labour - which finished joint second with Reform in the Holyrood election - should be showing compassion and respect to trans people.” “Tawee expressed shock at the killings, saying he had no idea what motivated the teenager, but also offered compassion.” Etymology
From Middle English compassioun, compassion, from Old French compassion, from Ecclesiastical Latin compassio (“sympathy”), from Latin compati, past participle compassus (“to suffer together with”), from com- (“together”) + pati (“to suffer”); see passion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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