What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Compassion vs Autonomy - What's the difference?

compassion | autonomy |

As nouns the difference between compassion and autonomy

is that compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it while autonomy is self-government; freedom to act or function independently.

As a verb compassion

is (obsolete) to pity.

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

    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?

    autonomy

    English

    Noun

  • Self-government; freedom to act or function independently.
  • (label) The capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision.
  • (label) The capacity of a system to make a decision about its actions without the involvement of another system or operator.
  • (label) The status of a church whose highest-ranking bishop is appointed by the patriarch of the mother church, but which is self-governing in all other respects. Compare autocephaly.
  • Synonyms

    * (self-government) nationhood, nationality, sovereignty, independence

    Antonyms

    * (self-government) dependency, nonautonomy, inoperability * (capacity to make independent decisions) heteronomy, incapacity

    Derived terms

    * autonomic * autonomous, autonomously