noun
compassion
kuhm-PASH-uhn
noun
1
A deep sense of concern for someone else's suffering, strong enough to make you want to help.
"The nurses treated every patient with compassion, no matter how difficult the case."
"Her compassion for stray animals led her to open a shelter."
How to Use Compassion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGenuinely caring about someone's pain and being moved to do something about it.
Common mistake
Similar to sympathy, but compassion carries a stronger urge to act and help, not just to feel sorry.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
show compassion
act of compassion
compassion fatigue
treat with compassion
Word Forms
compassioned past tense, compassions plural, compassions singular
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The nurses treated every patient with _____, no matter how difficult the case.
Etymology
From Latin compati, "to suffer together with" — com- ("together") plus pati ("to suffer"), the same root as "patient" and "passion."