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compassion definition

com·pas·sion (kəm pas̸h′ən)

noun

sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, accompanied by an urge to help; deep sympathy; pity

Etymology: ME & OFr < LL(Ec) compassio, sympathy < compassus, pp. of compati, to feel pity < L com-, together + pati, to suffer: see passion

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

compassion Synonyms

compassion

n.

sympathy, empathy, clemency; see kindness 1, pity 1. See syn. study at pity.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

compassion Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • feel: Can the West feel more compassion for the Iranians than the Iranians themselves?

Converse of subject

  • motivate: This is the first decision he makes motivated by compassion for Verna - all the others are motivated by compassion for Leo.

Adjective modifier

  • infinite: And all this without bargain or condition, and unconstrained by any motive save His own infinite compassion.

Modifies a noun

  • fatigue: In Britain today there is no compassion fatigue: in Britain today there is a goodwill mountain waiting to be tapped.

Noun used with modifier

  • tender: We dare not turn our backs on the tender compassion of Jesus.

Preposition: in

  • farming: Greens demand compassion in farming: We believe that animals have rights and are not industrial products.

Preposition: for

  • suffering: Fourthly we have seeming lack of compassion for the suffering.
compassion usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

compassion quotes

Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on theson of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

-Bible (Old Testament)

But a certain Samaritan, ashejourneyed, came wherehe was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave themtothehost, andsaiduntohim,Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

-Bible (NewTestament)

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forththebest robe, and put itonhim; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

-Bible (NewTestament)

compassion quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"compassion." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/compassion>

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compassion. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/compassion

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