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Anguish vs Compassion - What's the difference?

anguish | compassion | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between anguish and compassion

is that anguish is extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress while compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.

As verbs the difference between anguish and compassion

is that anguish is to suffer pain while compassion is to pity.

anguish

English

Noun

  • Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.
  • * Bible, Exodus vi. 9
    • But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
  • * Latimer
    • Ye miserable people, you must go to God in anguishes , and make your prayer to him.
  • * 1889 , :
    • A terrible scream—a prolonged yell of horror and anguish —burst out of the silence of the moor. That frightful cry turned the blood to ice in my veins.

    Synonyms

    * agony, calvary, cross, pang, torture, torment * See also:

    Related terms

    () * agnail, hangnail * anger * angst * anxiety * anxious * terminal anguish

    Verb

    (es)
  • To suffer pain.
  • * (rfdate) 1900s , Kl. Knigge, Iceland Folk Song , traditional, Harmony: H. Ruland
    • We’re leaving these shores for our time has come, the days of our youth must now end. The hearts bitter anguish , it burns for the home that we’ll never see again.
  • To cause to suffer pain.

    • External links

    * *

    compassion

    English

    Noun

  • Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it
  • * 1849 , Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)
    • Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions , and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.

    Synonyms

    * empathy, pity, ruth, tenderheartedness, sorrow * kindness, heart, mercy

    Derived terms

    * compassionate * compassion fatigue

    Related terms

    * compatible

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To pity.
  • * 1607 , , IV. i. 124:
    • O heavens, can you hear a good man groan / And not relent, or not compassion him?

    External links

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