# compassion

/kəmˈpæʃən/ (US) · /kəmpˈæʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compassion
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sympathy for others

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of pity and concern for others who are suffering, along with a wish to help them.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. kindness toward oneself

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

being kind and understanding toward yourself when you suffer or fail.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to feel pity

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to feel sorry for someone.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The nurse showed great compassion for her patients.
- The charity provides food and shelter to the homeless with a spirit of deep compassion and respect.
- Philosophers often debate whether true compassion requires an emotional connection to the sufferer or if it can be practiced as a detached moral duty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.