Compassionate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "compassionate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective which means having or showing sympathetic awareness of others' distress and a desire to help. Example sentence: The nurse had a compassionate attitude towards her patients.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reaction is always kind and compassionate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've got to explain why they are compassionate too".

The Economist

"I would ask them: is it compassionate to leave people on the dole for years with no incentive to get into work?" he said.

The Guardian

So, if we are going to be tough on border protection to avoid people drowning at sea, we also need to be compassionate by increasing the humanitarian refugee intake.

The Guardian

So there will always be dispute about "compassionate" priorities.

The Guardian

I was talking to some pretty serious people there, but I was being compassionate to all sides".

The Guardian

The young Cameron swore to "let sunshine win the day", and nobody beamed the optimistic, inclusive rays of compassionate Conservatism quite like Gove.

The Guardian

However the papers do repeatedly show the British government formally saying it is for the Scottish executive to decide if Megrahi should be released on compassionate grounds, or under the prisoner transfer agreement signed by the British with the Libyans.

The Guardian

That fisherman was sent home on "compassionate" grounds without charge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Collective leadership, which is what the system leaders profiled here demonstrate, becomes part of how we grow and nurture a culture in which staff at all levels can work with patients and service users to deliver high-quality and compassionate care.

The Guardian

I spent a year working in the poetry industry, if you can call it that, as an office assistant, and I promise you that advertising, the music industry and journalism have all turned out to be quite compassionate places to work in comparison.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person, use "compassionate" to highlight their deep empathy and concern for others. For example, "She was known for her compassionate nature and willingness to help those in need."

Common error

Avoid using "compassionate" when the situation requires action. Compassion involves empathy and understanding, but it's ineffective without concrete steps. Don't just be "compassionate"; be actively helpful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compassionate" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something characterized by empathy and concern for others. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and broad usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compassionate" is a frequently used adjective denoting empathy and caring. Ludwig AI affirms that it follows standard English grammar. As confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, it's primarily used in news, formal, and scientific contexts. When using "compassionate", it is important to remember that it describes a quality and consider practical actions to accompany those qualities to be most effective. Synonyms like "empathetic", "caring", and "kindhearted" offer similar but nuanced alternatives. The source analysis shows high reliability, especially from publications like The Guardian, The Economist and The New York Times, making "compassionate" a strong choice for conveying empathy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Empathetic

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

Caring

Emphasizes concern and responsibility for the well-being of others.

Kindhearted

Highlights the inherent kindness and generosity of the person.

Sympathetic

Emphasizes feeling or expressing pity or sorrow for someone else.

Benevolent

Implies a desire or intention to do good to others.

Understanding

Focuses on grasping and appreciating another's situation or feelings.

Tenderhearted

Suggests a gentle and easily moved emotional nature.

Merciful

Indicates a willingness to forgive or show leniency.

Humane

Suggests showing compassion or benevolence.

Gracious

Highlights politeness, kindness, and charm.

FAQs

How can I use "compassionate" in a sentence?

You can use "compassionate" to describe someone who is empathetic and caring, such as "She is a compassionate doctor who always puts her patients first." or to describe a system such as in, "The judge showed a "compassionate grounds" when deciding on the sentencing."

What is the difference between "compassionate" and "sympathetic"?

"Compassionate" implies a deeper level of empathy and a desire to alleviate suffering, while "sympathetic" suggests feeling sorrow or pity for someone's misfortune. Compassion often leads to action, whereas sympathy may not.

What are some synonyms for "compassionate"?

Synonyms for "compassionate" include "empathetic", "caring", "kindhearted", and "sympathetic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to be described as "compassionate"?

Yes, being described as "compassionate" is generally positive, as it indicates empathy, caring, and a desire to help others. However, in some contexts, it may imply vulnerability or a lack of objectivity, though this is rare.