easy
Nia showed compassion by comforting the frightened child.
What does Compassion mean?
Compassion is caring about someone's distress and wanting to help.
Dictionary definition
Concern for someone who is suffering or in difficulty, together with a desire to comfort them or help make the situation better.
Example sentences
Compassion in a sentence
medium
The shelter treats every injured animal with compassion.
hard
Compassion moved the neighbors from concern to practical help.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice compassion in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Compassion
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does compassion mean?
Compassion combines concern about suffering with a desire to comfort or help.
Practice 2
Which action best shows compassion?
The action recognizes distress and includes a helpful response.
Practice 3
Which word is closest to compassion but may not include the same strong desire to help?
Sympathy expresses concern, while compassion more strongly includes wanting to relieve distress.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Compassion
Voice settings
Sounds like
kum · pash · un · strongest beat: pash
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordCompassion.
Partnoun.
MeaningCompassion is caring about someone's distress and wanting to help.
ExampleExample: Nia showed compassion by comforting the frightened child.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- kum · pash · un
- Strongest beat
- pash
- Ending
- un
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on pash.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Compassion
sympathyUse for concern about another person's pain; compassion more strongly includes a desire to help.
kindnessUse for caring or helpful behavior; kindness does not always begin with another person's distress.
mercyUse when someone chooses not to punish or harm a person who is vulnerable or at their power.
Antonyms
Opposite words
indifferenceA strong contrast when someone shows no concern about another person's distress.
crueltyA strong contrast when someone deliberately causes or ignores suffering.
callousnessA more advanced contrast for an insensitive lack of concern about suffering.
Synonym practice
Want to practice compassion synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The story showed compassion for the lost puppy," then compare close word choices. Practice compassion synonyms.
Word family
Compassion word family
Base word
compassion
adjective
compassionate
Showing concern for suffering and a desire to help.
adverb
compassionately
In a caring way that responds to distress.
adjective
compassionless
Showing no compassion; this form is less common than without compassion.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Compassion
Hint for students
Look for another person's suffering or difficulty, caring concern, and a wish to comfort or improve the situation.
Common mix-up
Compassion is not exactly empathy or pity. Empathy focuses on understanding or sharing another perspective, while compassion includes concern and a desire to help without looking down on the person.
Try it in class or at home
Students read short scenarios and identify the distress, the caring response, and the helpful intention. They revise one response that shows only curiosity so it demonstrates compassion.
Teacher prompt
Compare empathy, sympathy, and compassion in one situation. Ask which word focuses on understanding, concern, or concern joined with a desire to help.
Word category
Explore more feelings words
This word is part of WordHive's feelings words collection. Browse more emotion words, compare close meanings, and practice using them in sentences.
Learning activities
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