COMPASSION Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'compassion' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of compassion are commiseration , condolence , pity , and sympathy . While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare. // treats the homeless with great compassion

Q: When might 'commiseration' be a better fit than 'compassion'?

While in some cases nearly identical to compassion , commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort. // murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

Q: Where would 'condolence' be a reasonable alternative to 'compassion'?

While the synonyms condolence and compassion are close in meaning, condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss. // expressed their condolences to the widow

Q: In what contexts can 'pity' take the place of 'compassion'?

In some situations, the words pity and compassion are roughly equivalent. However, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress. // felt pity for the captives

Q: When is 'sympathy' a more appropriate choice than 'compassion'?

The words sympathy and compassion can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort. // went to my best friend for sympathy // in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

compassion

noun

kəm-ˈpa-shən

Definition of compassion

as in sympathy

sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune treats the homeless with great compassion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune has no compassion for people who squander their money

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compassion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of compassion are commiseration, condolence, pity, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When might commiseration be a better fit than compassion?

While in some cases nearly identical to compassion, commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

Where would condolence be a reasonable alternative to compassion?

While the synonyms condolence and compassion are close in meaning, condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

In what contexts can pity take the place of compassion?

In some situations, the words pity and compassion are roughly equivalent. However, pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When is sympathy a more appropriate choice than compassion?

The words sympathy and compassion can be used in similar contexts, but sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy

in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of compassion Self-awareness becomes less about understanding personality and more about cultivating presence, compassion, responsibility and conscious choice. — Catherine Bell, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Instead, approach these conversations with curiosity and compassion. — Parents, 10 Aug. 2026 He will be deeply missed by many and his spirit, love and compassion will be remembered every day. — Mark Harris, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Many have called for empathy and compassion for the situation, while others struggle to reconcile calls for grace with Hilton’s history of profiting from celebrities’ most painful moments. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compassion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassion

Noun

But the superhero family eventually regains public sympathy for superheroes after defeating the evil Screenslaver (voiced by Catherine Keener).

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Burke Law also has close ties to, and ideological sympathies with, the Administration.

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

The sense of concern, yet complete lack of judgement the movie shows Jim, attests to both their decades of friendship and a deep reservoir of empathy that exists on the other side camera.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
Director Ti West wanted to keep the camera close to Gilpin, Sprenger says, to create empathy for her character.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of empathy

Noun

A number of cardiovascular conditions—including atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder—are linked to cardiac neurons.

— Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Maceta, moved to pity at times, would put an ear to his friend’s chest and hear how Ruiz’s heart leaped about inside his body, as though trying to fly apart.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of heart

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compassing

compassion

compassionate

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“Compassion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassion. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of compassion

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