a wave of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of empathy or kindness towards others, often in response to a particular event or situation. Example: "After hearing the news of the disaster, there was a wave of compassion that swept through the community, prompting many to offer their help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's like a wave of compassion from everyone.

Independent

The would-be swimmer felt a wave of compassion for the seahorses.

The New Yorker

But his death has produced a wave of compassion in recognition of the spirit and fortitude he displayed in meeting his challenges.

Independent

Re "In Pursuit of Answers One May Not Want to Know" (Essay, Jan . 1: As a genetic counselor who helps individuals concerned about hereditary cancer, I felt a wave of compassion for Emma Pierson.

The New York Times - Science

The compulsion is to succumb to a wave of compassion fatigue for the guilty parties, to end up thinking: "Just this once, sod liberal sensibilities, I don't care what happens to them".

The Guardian - Opinion

When Mustafa made it to Gothenburg in June, one of 35,000 unaccompanied minors to have claimed asylum in Sweden last year, a wave of compassion was sweeping the country.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

You'd feel a great wave of compassion for this total stranger, and still be listening sympathetically 20 minutes later.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kavisi's generosity is part of a wider wave of compassion that has swept across the north coast in the second half of the year.

The Guardian

I felt a wave of understanding and compassion.

The New York Times

We can all think of cases in which we have been swept up in a wave of kindness and compassion in a group, even in spite of our personal feelings.

The New York Times

In writing this part of my father's story, I have just been gifted with a wave of forgiveness and compassion.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of compassion" to depict a widespread, almost overwhelming feeling of empathy and care, especially in response to a significant event or suffering.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of compassion" to describe individual acts of kindness; it's more appropriate for collective or societal responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of compassion" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes an intense and widespread feeling. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of compassion" is a noun phrase that vividly describes a widespread and intense feeling of empathy and kindness, usually in response to a significant event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While there are various alternatives, such as "a surge of kindness" or "an outpouring of sympathy", each carries slightly different connotations. The phrase is best used to depict collective emotional responses, avoiding its application to individual acts of kindness. Using this phrase effectively can enhance the emotional impact of your writing by conveying the scale and depth of shared empathy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wave of empathy

Replaces compassion with empathy, focusing on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

a surge of kindness

Substitutes compassion with kindness, emphasizing the act of being generous and considerate.

an outpouring of sympathy

Replaces the wave metaphor with 'outpouring' and uses 'sympathy', highlighting feelings of sorrow and pity for someone's misfortune.

a flood of goodwill

Uses 'goodwill' instead of compassion, focusing on benevolent feelings and intentions.

a groundswell of support

Shifts the focus from emotion to action, emphasizing collective backing and assistance.

a burst of generosity

Highlights the act of giving and being liberal in sharing, differing from the more emotional aspect of compassion.

a tide of human kindness

Replaces 'wave' with 'tide' and 'compassion' with 'human kindness', slightly altering the imagery while retaining the core concept.

a rush of tenderness

Uses 'tenderness' instead of compassion, emphasizing gentle care and affection.

a moment of grace

Emphasizes the benevolence, but alters the structure to define it a moment

a spirit of humanity

Implies compassion being an attribute of a person rather than a sentiment

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a wave of compassion" in a sentence?

Use "a wave of compassion" to describe a widespread feeling of empathy, often following a tragedy or significant event. For example, "A wave of compassion swept through the nation after the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to "a wave of compassion"?

You could use phrases like "a wave of empathy", "an outpouring of sympathy", or "a surge of kindness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a wave of compassion" in formal writing?

Yes, "a wave of compassion" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing collective emotional responses in news reports, essays, or speeches. Consider the context to ensure it fits the tone.

What's the difference between "a wave of compassion" and "a feeling of compassion"?

"A wave of compassion" implies a large-scale, widespread emotion, whereas "a feeling of compassion" is more individual and personal. The "wave" suggests an overwhelming, almost unstoppable force of empathy.