SuaviloquyToday’s word

compassionate

Compassionate, a.

1. Having a temper or disposition to pity; sympathetic; merciful. There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate. South.

2. Complaining; inviting pity; pitiable. [R.] Shak.

Syn. -- Sympathizing; tender; merciful; pitiful.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Compassionate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compassionated; p. pr. & vb. n. Compassionating.]

To have compassion for; to pity; to commiserate; to sympathize with. Compassionates my pains, and pities me. Addison.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for compassionate; he lists it under humane.

Where he writes about it:

The compassionate man sympathizes with and desires to relieve actual suffering, while one who is humane would forestall and prevent the suffering which he sees to be possible. — from humane

Synonyms

humanebenevolentbenignantcharitableclementforgivinggentlegracioushumankindkind-heartedmercifulpityingsympathetictendertender-hearted

Antonyms

barbarous

etymologyWebster’s online