wave of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "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 that spreads among people, often in response to a particular event or situation. Example: "After the disaster, there was a wave of compassion that swept through the community, with many people offering help and support to those affected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 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

The wave of compassion that met last week's assault on Charlie Hebdo didn't last long.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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

Independent

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And by doing so, to allow warm waves of compassion to wash over the entire planet (yourself included).

Huffington Post

But I said yes, and once we talked, his anguish was so great, his apology so heartfelt, that all the anger left me in a great whoosh of an out breath, and then I felt nothing but great waves of compassion for him.

Los Angeles Times

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

We need a new wave of empathy and compassion in America.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of compassion" to describe a widespread and intense feeling of empathy and support, particularly after a significant event or during a crisis. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source and recipients of this compassion.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of compassion" to describe minor acts of kindness or isolated incidents. This phrase is most effective when portraying a substantial and collective empathetic response to a significant situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of compassion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a collective emotional experience. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of compassion" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich expression used to describe a surge of empathy and support, especially in the aftermath of significant events. While Ludwig AI validates its usage, understanding its appropriate context is crucial. It's most effective when describing a widespread, collective emotional response, as frequently observed in news and media. Alternatives like "surge of compassion" or "outpouring of kindness" offer similar connotations, but "wave of compassion" specifically implies a sweeping and collective feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge of compassion

Replaces "wave" with "surge", indicating a sudden and powerful increase in compassion.

swell of compassion

Similar to "wave", but "swell" emphasizes a gradual increase in intensity.

outpouring of compassion

Substitutes "wave" with "outpouring", suggesting a generous and abundant display of compassion.

flood of compassion

Uses "flood" instead of "wave", implying an overwhelming amount of compassion.

groundswell of compassion

Replaces "wave" with "groundswell", indicating a growing and widespread feeling of compassion from the general public.

rush of compassion

Implies a quick and sudden feeling of compassion.

tide of compassion

Uses "tide" instead of "wave", suggesting a gradual and rhythmic increase in compassion.

burst of compassion

Replaces "wave" with "burst", indicating a sudden and intense expression of compassion.

moment of compassion

Focuses on a specific instance or period of compassion.

act of compassion

Emphasizes a concrete action motivated by compassion.

FAQs

What does the phrase "wave of compassion" mean?

The phrase "wave of compassion" describes a sudden, widespread, and intense feeling of empathy and kindness towards those who are suffering or in need.

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

You might say, "The community experienced a "wave of compassion" after the devastating earthquake, with neighbors helping each other rebuild".

What can I say instead of "wave of compassion"?

You can use alternatives like "surge of empathy", "outpouring of kindness", or "flood of sympathy" depending on the context.

Is "wave of compassion" a common expression?

While not the most frequently used phrase, "wave of compassion" is well-understood and appropriate in many contexts, particularly when describing a collective emotional response.