compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning sympathy and understanding for the suffering of others. You can use it any time you feel it appropriate to express sympathy and understanding. For example: "John showed compassion towards his neighbor when she lost her job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What the government's decision today means is that a group of vulnerable men, women and children will not be sent back to their persecutors in Sri Lanka and I want to take a moment to thank the minister and the prime minister for showing some compassion to these people," said George Newhouse, a lawyer who brought the case.

The Guardian

They may lack empathy and compassion, but that doesn't mean they are all that different from the rest of us in other respects – and that we can't learn from them, both in terms of what they're doing right, and what they're getting wrong.

The Guardian - Money

Compassion for animals in laboratories is not "sentimentality"; it goes hand-in-hand with compassion for humans, both of which would be served by leaving cruel and demonstrably unnecessary monkey experiments behind in favour of truly humane and human-relevant science.

The Guardian

Related: Labour must be the party of ambition as well as compassion | Tony Blair Third, we treated parts of the electorate as no-go areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prospective students need to show compassion and motivation, she says: "When people are in pain it's not easy to get them moving.

The Guardian

"In an earlier era, our assumptions and vocabulary might have expressed judgment instead of compassion, and closed doors instead of opening them," he said.

The Guardian

Related: Charles Kennedy obituary MPs shared their memories of the ex-Highland MP's "courageous" opposition to the Iraq War, his compassion, his humour and his ability to connect with people of all backgrounds.

The Guardian

Macklemore said of the song: "It is a message of equality, tolerance and compassion to end homophobia, fear and hatred that has been an institution here in America.

The Guardian - Music

She is 45m tall, winged, made of aluminium, and if you see her face close up – impossible unless you climb inside her, which I've done – she looks as if the Latin word misericordia (compassion) was invented for her.

The Guardian - Travel

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And they are driven not by romantic love, but by compassion.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compassion", consider the specific emotion you want to convey. Empathy focuses on understanding feelings, while pity emphasizes sorrow.

Common error

Avoid using "compassion" as a synonym for excessive sentimentality. Ensure actions based on compassion are grounded in reason and not just emotional reactions.

Linguistic Context

The word "compassion" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a deep feeling of sympathy and sorrow for another who is suffering, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "compassion" is a noun that signifies a deep awareness of another's suffering coupled with a desire to relieve it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, formal writing, and scientific discussions. Related terms include "empathy", "pity", and "sympathy", each with subtle differences in connotation. When using "compassion", it's important to distinguish it from sentimentality, ensuring actions are grounded in reason. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathy

Focuses more on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

pity

Suggests a feeling of sorrow and sympathy for someone's misfortune.

sympathy

Implies a shared feeling, often sorrow, for another's suffering.

mercy

Emphasizes the act of forgiveness or leniency towards someone in distress.

humanity

Highlights the quality of being kind, understanding, and humane.

kindness

Focuses on the act of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

benevolence

Implies a desire to do good to others; more formal.

tenderheartedness

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of being gentle and easily moved by suffering.

concern

Indicates a feeling of worry or care for someone's well-being.

understanding

Focuses on the intellectual aspect of grasping someone's situation and feelings.

FAQs

How is "compassion" typically used in a sentence?

"Compassion" is often used to describe a deep awareness of the suffering of others, coupled with a desire to alleviate it. For example, "Showing "compassion" for refugees is a noble act."

What are some alternatives to "compassion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "empathy", "sympathy", or "pity". However, each carries slightly different connotations.

Is there a difference between "compassion" and "empathy"?

"Compassion" involves feeling for another's suffering and wanting to help, while "empathy" is primarily about understanding and sharing the feelings of another, without necessarily implying action.

When is it appropriate to use "compassion" in writing?

Use "compassion" when you want to emphasize a deep understanding of someone's suffering and a genuine desire to relieve it. It's appropriate in contexts involving humanitarian efforts, personal relationships, and social justice.