Emotions / C1

k-uh-m-PASHUN/kəmˈpæʃn/

Compassion is sympathy plus a wish to help: treat someone with compassion, compassion for. Pity can look down; empathy (already in the dictionary) is feeling with someone. Compassionate is the adjective; passion is strong feeling of another kind.

Meaning

Sympathy for someone’s suffering, together with a wish to help.

Examples

• “The nurse treated the patients with real compassion.”
• “The policy showed little compassion for night workers.”
• “Compassion without a budget is only a speech.”

Good to know

compassion for / with compassion. Close: empathy. Looking down: pity. Mix-up: passion.

Near in meaning

empathy

Topics

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