Word
compassionate
Phoneticscom·pas·sion·ate, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpæʃənət/
UK/kəmpˈæʃənət/
Definitions
01showing sympathy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others who are suffering.
adj. feeling or showing compassion; motivated by a desire to alleviate the suffering of others.
“The nurse was very compassionate and stayed with the patient until his family arrived.”
“A compassionate leader recognizes that the well-being of their staff is just as important as the organization's quarterly targets.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02emergency leave
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. granted to someone because of a family emergency, like a death in the family.
adj. granted on the grounds of a personal or family emergency, typically regarding employment leave or prison release.
“He was granted compassionate leave to attend his father's funeral.”
“The company policy allows for five days of compassionate leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member.”
Synonyms
03to feel pity for
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to feel deep sympathy or pity for someone.
v. to feel compassion for or to pity someone. This transitive use is largely restricted to older literature.
“The king began to compassionate the poor man's difficult situation.”
“In the classic novel, the protagonist finds himself able to compassionate even his greatest enemies after witnessing their shared misery.”
Usage
Takes a direct object.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The children were also described as adept at navigating social situations, compassionate and empathetic.” “At the moment, a person can access their super early under strict conditions, including to pay for certain expenses on compassionate grounds.” Etymology
A pseudo-Latin form of French compassionné, past participle of compassionner (“feel sorry for”). By surface analysis, compassion + -ate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/compassionate