compassion
compassion
Pronunciation
The word compassion is a powerful term centered on the human capacity for empathy and action. Below is the linguistic and conceptual breakdown you requested.
Phonetic Breakdown
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /kəmˈpæʃ.ən/
Syllable 1 (com-): /kəm/ — Consists of the voiceless velar plosive /k/, the unstressed schwa vowel /ə/, and the bilabial nasal /m/.
Syllable 2 (-pas-): /ˈpæʃ/ — The stressed syllable. Consists of the voiceless bilabial plosive /p/, the "short a" vowel /æ/, and the voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/.
Syllable 3 (-ion): /ən/ — Consists of a brief schwa /ə/ followed by the alveolar nasal /n/.
Word Form Variations
Noun: Compassion (singular), compassions (plural - though rarely used in plural form).
Adjective: Compassionate.
Adverb: Compassionately.
Verb: Compassionate (archaic/rare; modern English typically uses "to feel compassion for").
Adjective (Negative): Uncompassionate.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun: Compassion
Definition: A deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with a strong desire to alleviate that pain. It is more than just feeling sorry; it involves a sense of shared humanity and a motivation to help.
Synonyms: Empathy, mercy, kindness, humanity, benevolence.
Antonyms: Indifference, cruelty, apathy, callousness, malevolence.
Adjective: Compassionate
Definition: Describing a person, action, or mindset characterized by showing or feeling active sympathy and concern for others.
Synonyms: Warmhearted, empathetic, understanding, tender, charitable.
Antonyms: Cold, heartless, merciless, unsympathetic, harsh.
Adverb: Compassionately
Definition: To perform an action in a manner that reflects kindness, mercy, and an understanding of someone else's difficult situation.
Synonyms: Gently, kindly, sympathetically, humanely.
Antonyms: Brutally, coldly, indifferently, harshly.
Examples of Use
Here are several examples of compassion used across various mediums and public discourse:
Literature and Books
"The dew of compassion is a tear." (Lord Byron, Don Juan)
"It is a lack of compassion that can render a person cold and detached, but the presence of it that makes one truly human." (Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning)
"Compassion is the radicalism of our time." (Dalai Lama, The Book of Joy)
News and Online Publications
An editorial in The Guardian highlighted how community-led initiatives showed "extraordinary compassion and resilience" when supporting refugees during the winter months (January 2024).
The New York Times reported on a medical breakthrough, noting that "the physician’s compassion was as vital to the patient’s recovery as the surgical intervention itself" (March 2025).
A feature on NPR discussed "the compassion deficit" in modern digital discourse and the importance of active listening in polarized environments (November 2023).
Entertainment and Media
In the television series Ted Lasso, the protagonist often emphasizes that "having compassion for your enemies is the hardest, yet most necessary, part of leadership."
The lyrics of various contemporary folk songs frequently touch on the theme, such as "let compassion be the bridge over the divide" (Acoustic Sessions Podcast).
Video game narratives, such as those in Undertale, utilize compassion as a core gameplay mechanic, rewarding players for showing mercy to antagonists rather than choosing violence.
General Public Discourse
During a commencement speech at a major university, the keynote speaker urged graduates to "measure your success not by your bank account, but by the compassion you extend to those who can do nothing for you."
In a viral social media thread regarding animal rescue, a user commented that "true compassion is a verb; it requires us to step outside our comfort zones to protect those without a voice."
Local town hall meetings often feature residents pleading for "compassion in zoning laws" to ensure that low-income housing remains a priority for the community.
10 Quotes Using Compassion
"Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." (Albert Einstein)
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion." (Dalai Lama)
"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up with compassion." (John Holmes)
"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." (Albert Schweitzer)
"Compassion is the fashion." (Ritchie Blackmore)
"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men." (Confucius)
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries; without them, humanity cannot survive." (Dalai Lama)
"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal." (Steve Maraboli)
"God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, created for compassion." (Desmond Tutu)
"Compassion is the wish to see others free from suffering." (Dalai Lama)
Etymology
The word compassion has a beautiful "literal" meaning that describes exactly what the feeling is: suffering with someone.
The Breakdown
The etymology of the word can be traced back through Middle English and Old French to the Late Latin word compassio. It is formed by combining two distinct parts:
com-: A prefix meaning "together" or "with."
passio: A root derived from pati, meaning "to suffer" or "to endure."
Essentially, the word's DNA tells us that to have compassion is to share in someone else's struggle. It’s the linguistic equivalent of getting into the trenches with another person rather than just watching them from the sidelines.
First Known Use and Evolution
The word began appearing in the English language in the mid-14th century.
Original Meaning: When it first entered English, it carried the same core meaning it has today: a feeling of sorrow or pity provoked by the misfortunes of another.
Context: It was heavily used in religious and philosophical texts to describe a "fellow-feeling." Before the word empathy was coined (which didn't happen until the late 19th century), compassion was the primary term used to describe the bridge of emotion between two people in pain.
Unlike "pity," which can sometimes feel like looking down on someone, the etymology of compassion emphasizes a level playing field—you are suffering with them, as an equal.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Compassion
Here is a list of phrases and idioms that utilize the word compassion, along with variations using synonyms to achieve a similar effect.
Phrases Using "Compassion"
To have compassion for: The standard way to describe feeling or showing care for someone’s hardship.
A deep sense of compassion: Used to describe an intense, profound level of empathy.
To be moved to compassion: When a specific event or sight triggers an immediate emotional response of kindness.
Compassion fatigue: A recognized condition where a person (often a caregiver or healthcare worker) becomes emotionally exhausted and loses the ability to empathize.
Act of compassion: A specific deed done to help someone who is suffering.
Idioms and Figurative Expressions
Bleeding heart: A common idiom used (sometimes disparagingly) to describe someone who shows excessive compassion or sympathy for others.
To have a heart of gold: An expression for someone who is naturally kind and driven by compassion.
In the shoes of another: A phrase used to describe the primary requirement of compassion—understanding someone else's perspective or pain.
To melt one's heart: To cause someone to feel a sudden surge of compassion or tenderness.
Tug at the heartstrings: To stir deep feelings of compassion or sadness through a story or plea.
Milk of human kindness: An idiom (originally from Shakespeare's Macbeth) referring to the natural compassion and basic goodness within people.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of compassion from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
