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Compassion vs Comforting - What's the difference?

compassion | comforting |

As nouns the difference between compassion and comforting

is that compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it while comforting is the act of giving comfort.

As verbs the difference between compassion and comforting

is that compassion is (obsolete) to pity while comforting is .

As an adjective comforting is

giving comfort.

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

    * * ----

    comforting

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Giving comfort.
    • Your comforting words help ease my mind.
    It's comforting to know that I've always got my Mum when things go wrong.

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of giving comfort.
  • * 1836 , Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, The American in England (page 269)
    • Intrenched within the citadel of our apartment, and cheered by the comfortings of a coal fire, we passed the day in letter-writing, conversation, or gazing from the sheltered security of our windows upon the agitated sea