compassionate

[ adjective kuhm-pash-uh-nit; verb kuhm-pash-uh-neyt ]
/ adjective kəmˈpæʃ ə nɪt; verb kəmˈpæʃ əˌneɪt /

adjective

having or showing compassion: a compassionate person; a compassionate letter.
granted in an emergency: compassionate military leave granted to attend a funeral.
Obsolete. pitiable.

verb (used with object), com·pas·sion·at·ed, com·pas·sion·at·ing.

Archaic. to pity or have compassion for.

Origin of compassionate

First recorded in 1580–90; compassion + -ate1

SYNONYMS FOR compassionate

1 pitying, sympathizing, sympathetic, tender.

OTHER WORDS FROM compassionate

Example sentences from the Web for compassionate

British Dictionary definitions for compassionate

compassionate
/ (kəmˈpæʃənət) /

adjective

showing or having compassion
compassionate leave leave granted, esp to a serviceman, on the grounds of bereavement, family illness, etc

Derived forms of compassionate

compassionately, adverb compassionateness, noun