compassionate

com-pas-sion-ate · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others who are suffering.

  2. 2.

    Granted because of unusual circumstances causing hardship.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    compassionate leave — time off work for personal emergencies
  • •
    compassionate care — end-of-life medical care

Related words

Antonyms: callous, cruel, heartless, indifferent
See also: compassion, kind, sympathy
Synonyms: caring, kind, merciful, sympathetic

Etymology

From Latin "compassio" meaning suffering together, from "com-" (together) and "pati" (to suffer), with the adjective suffix "-ate."