com·pas·sion·ate kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 
1
: having or showing compassion : sympathetic
a compassionate friend
a compassionate smile
2
: granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual
—used of some military privileges (such as leave)
The soldier was granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.
compassionately adverb
compassionateness noun
com·pas·sion·ate kəm-ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt
compassionated; compassionating
: pity
… even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men …—
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
Examples of compassionate in a Sentence
Adjective a compassionate person by nature a compassionate smile made the refugees feel a little better Verb a gentle soul who could compassionate even the most reprobate of scoundrels and villains
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Koutsoumpas, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 Much of this slick drama is a meditation on the differences between how baby boomers — in this case, an old hippy turned seemingly compassionate sage — talk and operate, and how that clashes with the language and moral urgency felt by a very different millennial generation. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 The solution is to shift from empathy to compassionate accountability: Instead of feeling with the person, focus on walking beside them while holding the line. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
When delivered as intended, hospice remains one of the most compassionate and effective models of care in our healthcare system. —Tom Koutsoumpas, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 Much of this slick drama is a meditation on the differences between how baby boomers — in this case, an old hippy turned seemingly compassionate sage — talk and operate, and how that clashes with the language and moral urgency felt by a very different millennial generation. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Modern Legal is not only a firm dedicated to compassionate legal advocacy but also underscores the critical role of education in empowering individuals. —Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 The solution is to shift from empathy to compassionate accountability: Instead of feeling with the person, focus on walking beside them while holding the line. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compassionate
Cite this Entry
“Compassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/compassionate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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