Looking up...
compassion
/kəmˈpæʃən/
sympathetic concern
The doctor showed great compassion toward her patients.
The doctor demonstrated deep care and understanding for her patients' suffering.
formal
Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Acts of compassion, such as donating to charity, can make a real difference in people's lives.
Simple acts of kindness and empathy, like giving to charity, can significantly improve lives.
Her compassion for animals led her to volunteer at the shelter every weekend.
Her deep care for animals motivated her to spend weekends helping at the animal shelter.
Compassion implies both an emotional response (feeling for others) and a motivation to act (helping). It is stronger than mere sympathy, as it involves a desire to alleviate suffering.
Collocations
show compassiondemonstrate care and concerndeep compassionprofound empathycompassion fatigueexhaustion from prolonged exposure to others' suffering
Pro Tip
Distinguish from sympathy and empathy
'Sympathy' is feeling for someone; 'empathy' is feeling with someone; 'compassion' is feeling for someone AND acting to help. Use 'compassion' when both emotion and action are involved.
Gold Rule
Use compassion for active care
Compassion always involves a desire to ease suffering, not just acknowledge it. Avoid using it for passive observation.
Word Origin
From Old French 'compassion' (14th c.), from Latin 'compassio(n-)', from 'compassus' (past participle of 'compati' 'to suffer with'), from 'com-' (with) + 'pati' (to suffer). The Latin term was used in ecclesiastical contexts to describe Christ's suffering with humanity.
Usage Notes
Compassion is often used in contexts of care, such as healthcare, social work, or humanitarian aid. It can also describe a trait admired in leaders or role models. Unlike 'pity,' which may imply a sense of superiority, compassion carries no such connotation.
Word Breakdown
com-
with
prefix-passion
suffering
rootEnglish Dictionary