Compassion Meaning
/kəmˈpæʃ.ən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounDeep awareness of the suffering of others that people have to the point of them being motivated to relieve such states.
nounDeep awareness of the individual experiences of suffering of others or themselves that people have to the point of them being motivated to relieve such experiences, as reflected by the psychological term self-compassion.
Sentence Examples
Nothing is as important as compassion.
Compassion is entirely absent from his character.
The Dalai Lama counsels the practice of compassion.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The nurse showed great ____ when caring for the frightened young patient.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The famous nurse was globally known for her deep empathy and unfailing ____ for her patients.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English compassioun, compassion, from Old French compassion, from Ecclesiastical Latin compassio (“sympathy”), from Latin compati, past participle compassus (“to suffer together with”), from com- (“together”) + pati (“to suffer”); see passion. By surface analysis, com- + passion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Other people's problems, they overwhelm my mind / They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time"
— 1977, David Byrne, “No Compassion”, in Talking Heads: 77, performed by Talking Heads:
"In many ways, people today lack compassion as a way to internalize and experience the inner soul of the other person, animals, and the universe. We need to reintroduce compassion so humanity may survive."
— 2002, Werner J. Krieglstein, Compassion: A New Philosophy of the Other, page 149:
"Ethics of compassion are grounded in one's mindful commitment to one's own happiness with the recognition that the well being that one wishes for oneself also is wished for by others."
— 2008, Richard Reilly, Ethics of Compassion: Bridging Ethical Theory and Religious Moral Discourse, page 1:
"From Master's words, I understand that having compassion does not mean allowing people to take advantage of us. We can be kind but we should uphold moral values."
— 2020 January 28, “My Understanding Of What It Means to Be Compassionate”, in Minghui.org, archived from the original on 10 Apr 2023:
"Similarly to the practice of loving kindness, meditation on compassion towards our own experience builds the foundation for expansion of the circle of compassion towards others."
— 2013, Dusana Dorjee, Mind, Brain and the Path to Happiness — A Guide to Buddhist Mind Training and the Neuroscience of Meditation, page 75:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The nurse showed great ____ when caring for the frightened young patient.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The famous nurse was globally known for her deep empathy and unfailing ____ for her patients.